Accession Number
1915.108
Medium
hanging scroll, ink and slight color on paper
Dimensions
Overall: 152.4 x 73.3 cm (60 x 28 7/8 in.)
Classification
Painting
Credit Line
Gift of Charles L. Freer
Tags
Painting Baroque (1600–1750) Ink Paper
Background & Context
Background Story
Landscape with Figures from the Qing dynasty (1644-1911) is an anonymous Chinese painting depicting figures in a landscape in the ink and color manner that distinguishes the Chinese landscape tradition. The broad date range of the Qing dynasty makes precise dating difficult, but the painting demonstrates the landscape tradition that was the most important subject in Chinese painting throughout the dynastic period, with figures shown in a landscape setting that combines the observation of nature with the philosophical ideal of retirement from official life.
Cultural Impact
Landscape with Figures is an example of the landscape tradition that was the most important subject in Chinese painting throughout the dynastic period. The Chinese landscape tradition—combining the observation of nature with the philosophical ideal of retirement—remained the most important subject in Chinese painting from the Song dynasty through the Qing, and this anonymous painting shows the tradition in its most characteristic form.
Why It Matters
Landscape with Figures is an anonymous Qing dynasty landscape: figures in a landscape setting that combines the observation of nature with the philosophical ideal of retirement. The painting shows the landscape tradition that was the most important subject in Chinese painting throughout the dynastic period.
