Accession Number1970/2.160.3
TitleBoating by the Peach Leaf Crossing, from the album, Twelve Views of Jinling (Nanjing) (one of pair of albums)
Artist(s)Gao CenArtist NationalityChinese (culture or style)Object Creation Datelate 17th century - 18th centuryMedium & Supportalbum leaf, ink and color on paperDimensions 8 ½ in x 12 7/16 in (21.59 cm x 31.59 cm)
Credit LineGift of Mr. and Mrs. C.D. CarterLabel copyThis painting depicts the famous Peach Leaf ferry crossing
in Jinling (modern day Nanjing), a city historically admired
for the wealth and abundance surrounding it. Like the
other paintings from this album, it suggests that though the
green mountains and river are the same, the social reality
of Jinling is dramatically changed. The ferry passengers
seem to be traveling to the left side of the river, where empty
restaurants, teahouses, and theaters were once filled with
people. A section of a fortified wall can be seen on the far
right, perhaps an allusion to the wars that devastated
the region.
Both of the album leaves exhibited here reveal traces of
Gao Cen’s stylistic lineage. The vertical and horizontal green
dots in the mountains and trees are typical of the work of
the famous Ming dynasty (1368–1644) painter Lan Ying (1585–
1664), as are the clear outlines of the land and rocks, and the
colors used to fill them. The blue-and-green coloring evokes
the tradition of landscape painting dating back to the
eighth century.
Fall 2015 Gallery Rotation
Subject matterDepiction of the famous Peach Leaf ferry crossing in modern-day Nanjing. A fortification wall can be seen in the distance. The ferry passengers seem to travel across the river, away from the empty restaurants, teahouses, and theaters that used to be filled with people but now sit quietly.
Physical DescriptionColored pring of a small body of water, surrounded by houses and small mountains. A gray wall is in the background. Text in upper left corner.
Primary Object Classification Bound Work Primary Object TypebookAdditional Object Classification(s)PaintingCollection AreaAsianRightsIf you are interested in using an image for a publication, please visit
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