Accession Number2006/2.22.2
TitleLandscape
Artist(s)Huang Yue Object Creation Date1831Medium & Supportink on paperDimensions 11 in x 12 7/16 in (28 cm x 31.6 cm);9 3/16 in x 10 9/16 in (23.4 cm x 26.9 cm)
Credit LineGift of Ellen and Richard LaingLabel copyGallery Rotation Summer 2013
Huang Yue
China, 1750–1841
Landscape
Qing dynasty (1644–1912)
1831
Album leaf, ink on paper
Gift of Ellen and Richard Laing,
2006/2.22.2
This painting (and the one adjacent) comes from an album of four
landscape paintings. It was made in the last decade of the scholarofficial
Huang Yue’s life, when the Qing dynasty was in decline
and government corruption rampant. The two trees growing from
oddly shaped rocks allude to historical Chinese paintings depicting
twin pines. This tree was often a metaphor for a man of integrity,
and a pine damaged by frost and wind suggested his suffering
from political oppression. Between the rocks are clusters of thin
bamboo leaves that seem to grow without a proper trunk. Since
bamboo often represents a gentleman of rectitude, the painting
may express the struggle of righteous scholar-officials during the late Qing dynasty. As an artist in the literati (amateur scholar-artist)
tradition, Huang Yue believed paintings should subtly reflect the
artist’s temperament and virtue rather than presenting a naturalistic
rendering of a scene.
Subject matterIt was made in the last decade of the scholar-official Huang Yue’s life, when the Qing dynasty was in decline and government corruption rampant. The two trees growing from oddly shaped rocks allude to historical Chinese paintings depicting twin pines. This tree was often a metaphor for a man of integrity, and a pine damaged by frost and wind suggested his suffering from political oppression. Between the rocks are clusters of thin bamboo leaves that seem to grow without a proper trunk. Since bamboo often represents a gentleman of rectitude, the painting may express the struggle of righteous scholar-officials during the late Qing dynasty.
Physical DescriptionThis painting (and the one adjacent) comes from an album of four landscape paintings.
Primary Object Classification Unbound Work Primary Object TypeleafAdditional Object Classification(s)PaintingRightsIf you are interested in using an image for a publication, please visit
http://umma.umich.edu/request-image for more information and to fill out the online Image Rights and Reproductions Request Form.
Keywords
calligraphy (process)
landscapes (environments)
trees