H x W (overall): 46.5 x 61.4 cm (18 5/16 x 24 3/16 in)
Type:
Painting
Origin:
China
Date:
17th century
Period:
Qing dynasty
Label:
The scholar-painter Gong Xian was a master at manipulating blank space juxtaposed with dark, inky forms to create powerful, sometimes foreboding landscape compositions. Here the river is used to provide breathing space between the solid rock forms on either side. The sailboat with its implied sense of motion animates the painting that is otherwise dominated by the stationary mountain forms. The paintings in this album have suffered much damage over time and have been restored to fill in worm holes and abraded areas; the ink brushwork, however, is entirely original.
Collection:
National Museum of Asian Art Collection
Exhibition History:
The Arts of China (November 18, 1990 to September 7, 2014)