Accession Number1970/2.160.8
TitleFishing at Wuyi, 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, 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 copyGao Cen was born during the Ming dynasty (1368–1644),
but in 1644 the Manchus took power and established the
Qing dynasty. The Ming dynasty had been founded in
Jingling (present-day Nanjing), which continued to be
China’s political and cultural center even after the capital
was moved to Beijing in 1421. This painting is not meant to
be an accurate depiction of a geographical site, but part of
a meditation on the rise and fall of Jinling. At first glance it
seems to depict a tranquil fishing scene, but a closer reading
suggests the city’s fate. The tallest tree in the left foreground
is half dead: its trunk is bare, and many branches have no
leaves at all. The dry ink used to delineate the contours of
the land and rocks reinforce a sense of the harshness of
the barren landscape. The colophon alludes to poems that
express melancholy for this deserted city, once rich and
flourishing. With this series of paintings the artist intended
to evoke sorrow over the fall of the Ming dynasty.
Along with Gong Xian (1618–1689), whose work is also
exhibited in this gallery, Gao Cen is one of the eight famous
painters of Jinling from the early Qing dynasty.
Fall 2015 Gallery Rotation
Subject matterThe tallest tree in the foreground is half dead, with no leaves. The contours of the land and rock reinforce a harshness to the landscape. This painting is intended to evoke sorrow and a meditation on the rise and fall of Jinling.
Physical DescriptionTwo figures sit on the bank of a river, fishing. Green hills in background, and some trees are depicted near the figyres. Writing 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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