Description
This album leaf was probably created in 1695 for a friend Shitao had traveled with to visit ancient sites along the Qinhuai River from the Six Dynasties period. A tiny figure in a boat looks up in awe toward rising mountain masses that form an overhanging cliff, perhaps an image for the overwhelming history of Nanjing.
Shitao was born two years before the Ming dynasty fell. A descendant of the first Ming emperor, he later lived in Nanjing, Yangzhou, and Anhui province. Despite his affiliation with the Ming imperial family, he met the Qing dynasty Kangxi emperor twice.
Shitao was born two years before the Ming dynasty fell. A descendant of the first Ming emperor, he later lived in Nanjing, Yangzhou, and Anhui province. Despite his affiliation with the Ming imperial family, he met the Qing dynasty Kangxi emperor twice.
Provenance
Qin Tongli 秦通理 [early 20th century]; C. C. Wang 王季遷 [1907–2003], New York, NY, sold to the Cleveland Museum of Art (?–1966); The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (1966–)
Accession Number
1966.31.8
Medium
Album leaf; ink and color on Song paper
Dimensions
Image: 25.5 x 20.2 cm (10 1/16 x 7 15/16 in.); Overall: 33 x 24.3 cm (13 x 9 9/16 in.)
Classification
Painting
Credit Line
John L. Severance Fund
