Reminiscences of Nanjing: Old Gingko at Mt. Chinglong

Object Details

• Artist

  Shitao (1642-1707)

• Label

  This painting of a lightning-damaged tree that sprouts new growth could easily allude to the artist's personal struggles. He was orphaned as an infant and most of his family was murdered in the turbulent dynastic overthrow that established the Qing dynasty (1644-1911). Shitao's father had been a prince of the conquered Ming dynasty (1368-1644). It was expected that, because of his royal ancestry, Shitao would never deign to serve the Qing government. Instead, he became a Buddhist monk and lived for a period in Nanjing, which is the theme of this painting. Both leaves from the album Reminiscences of Nanjing present a memorable image from that locale.

  Reminiscences of Nanjing was painted in Shitao's last year, and the paintings and poetry are contemplative, ranging from happy to melancholy thoughts. The strong, blunt strokes and chromatic richness of this tree suggest vitality and survival, an aspect of Shitao's own character. The directness of the visual image and the economy of description are typical of Shitao's new approach in painting. He celebrated a style bursting with energy. His paintings often seem naively simple--even awkward--which was a look he intentionally cultivated to great effect.

• 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

  Mountains, Ginko tree, Art, Chinese Art, Qing dynasty (1644 - 1911)

• Culture

  Chinese

• Object Type

  Paintings