Reminiscences of Nanjing: Riding the Clouds

Object Details

• Artist

  Shitao (1642-1707)

• Label

  This painting of a horseback rider ascending a cloudy peak, with a torrent below, projects a theme of perseverance. Painted in the last year of Shitao's life, the image was probably self-reflective. From the outset, Shitao's life was beset with difficulties. He was orphaned as an infant when most of his family was murdered in a violent dynastic overthrow. Because his father had been a prince of the conquered dynasty, it was assumed that Shitao would never deign to serve the new dynasty's government. He became a reclusive Buddhist monk and lived for a period in Nanjing, whose sites he recorded in the twelve paintings that comprise the album Reminiscences of Nanjing. The emotional tone in Reminiscences of Nanjing ranges from happy to melancholy. In each painting Shitao used the strong, blunt brushwork that is his signature style, and sometimes he interjected a visually exciting, fresh approach to the natural world. The overall economy of description of Riding the Clouds characterizes Shitao's innovative painting style. He created an approach to painting that, at first glance, seems naively simple but is, in fact, a deliberate and difficult-to-achieve look-one which perhaps resonates with the Daoist view that awkwardness can be the greatest skill.

• Provenance

  To?

  Zhang Daqian (1899-1983). [1]

  To 1987

  Dr. Arthur M. Sackler (1913-1987), New York. [2]

  From 1987

  Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, gift of Dr. Arthur M. Sackler, New York. [3]

  Notes:

  [1] See object record.

  [2] See note 1.

  [3] See note 1.

• Collection

  Arthur M. Sackler Collection

• Exhibition History

  Les trois reves du mandarin (October 22, 2009 to February 14, 2010)

  The Arts of China (November 18, 1990 to September 7, 2014)

  Pavilions and Immortal Mountains: Chinese Decorative Art and Paintings (September 28, 1987 to February 28, 1988)

  Rarities of Chinese Painting in the Arthur M. Sackler Collections (December 8, 1973 to June 29, 1986)

• Previous custodian or owner

  Zhang Daqian 張大千 (China, 1899-1983)

  Dr. Arthur M. Sackler (1913-1987)

• Origin

  Nanjing, China

• Credit Line

  Gift of Arthur M. Sackler

• Type

  Painting

• Restrictions and Rights

  Usage Conditions Apply

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Keep Exploring

• Related Resources

  collections.si.edu

• Date

  1700s

• Name

  Sackler, Arthur M., Zhang, Daqian

• Place

  China, Nanjing

• Topic

  Art, Chinese Art, Qing dynasty (1644 - 1911), Cloud, Rivers

• Culture

  Chinese

• Object Type

  Paintings