Scholars Watching Waves

Detail of a pattern
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At A Glance

  • Period

    late 17th-early 18th century
  • Geography

    China
  • Material

    Hanging scroll; ink and color on silk
  • Dimension

    H x W (image): 128.7 × 61.3 cm (50 11/16 × 24 1/8 in)
  • Accession Number

    F1996.31
  • EDAN ID

    edanmdm:fsg_F1996.31

Object Details

  • Description

    A well-executed landscape painting of two scholars in a mountain setting gazing at tumultuous waves (a tidal bore?). Pine trees form a predominate motif in the foreground. [Also see Comment field, comment #1]
  • Inscriptions

    1. (Jan Stuart, 30 August 1996) A spurious "signature" by the Song painter Li Tang on the left.
  • Provenance

    To 1970
    Eugene Meyer (1875-1959) and Agnes E. Meyer (1887-1970). [1]
    From 1970 to 1996
    Katharine Graham (1917-2001), Washington DC by descent from her mother, Agnes E. Meyer. [2]
    From 1996
    Freer Gallery of Art, gift of Katharine Graham, Washington, DC [3]
    Notes:
    [1] Donor acquired painting through the estate of her mother, Mrs. Agnes Meyer. See November 20, 1996 dated folder sheet note, object file, Collections Management Office.
    [2] See note 1.
    [3] Freer Gallery of Art Purchase List after 1920 file, Collections Management Office.
  • Collection

    Freer Gallery of Art Collection
  • Previous custodian or owner

    Agnes E. Meyer (1887-1970)
    Eugene I. Meyer Jr. (1875-1959)
    Katharine Meyer Graham (1917-2001)
  • Origin

    China
  • Credit Line

    Gift of Mrs. Katharine Graham
  • Type

    Painting
  • Restrictions and Rights

    Usage Conditions Apply

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