Accession Number
1959/1.109

Title
Mountain Landscape

Artist(s)
Wen Zhengming

Object Creation Date
circa 1517

Medium & Support
ink on paper

Dimensions
36 13/16 in x 8 1/8 in (93.5 cm x 20.64 cm)

Credit Line
Museum purchase made possible by the Margaret Watson Parker Art Collection Fund

Label copy
Two seals of the artist
Inscription and seal of Wen Jia (1501–83), son of the artist: This is a painting by my late father, executed in his early years … [Inscribed on] 1576.3.16, Wen Jia
Ten collectors’ seals, including six imperial seals of the Qing dynasty emperor Qianlong (reigned 1736–96)
The great Wu School master Wen Zhengming was one of the most influential literati painters of the Ming dynasty. This painting exhibits the characteristics of his mature style: fine brushstrokes of dry ink depict layered mountains and deep ravines, creating rugged formations of rocks punctuated by trees. Each tiny leaf of the tree foliage is individually outlined. Although this work may have been completed by Wen Zhengming’s talented follower Ju Jie (1527–1586), its exceptional quality is undeniable.
The six large red seals of the emperor Qianlong (reigned 1736–96) indicate that this painting was once part of the Imperial Collection.

Subject matter
Mountain landscape

Physical Description
A landscape of mountains depicted from the gaoyuan (high distance) perspective (looking up toward the top of the mountain from the bottom).

Primary Object Classification
Painting

Primary Object Type
hanging scroll

Additional Object Classification(s)
Painting

Collection Area
Asian

Rights
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Keywords
calligraphy (process)
landscapes (environments)
mountains
trees