Reminiscences of Nanjing: Sightseeing at Congxiao

Detail of a pattern
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At A Glance

  • Period

    1707
  • Geography

    Nanjing, China
  • Material

    Ink on paper
  • Dimension

    H x W (image): 23.8 x 19.2 cm (9 3/8 x 7 9/16 in)
  • Accession Number

    S1987.204.4
  • EDAN ID

    edanmdm:fsg_S1987.204.4

Object Details

  • Artist

    Shitao (1642-1707)
  • Label

    This painting and the one on display on the opposite side of the door-way are both from an album that Shitao created in the final year of his life. The theme of the album is the recollection of the years he lived in Nanjing as a monk. Several of the twelve album leaves hint at the artist's impending death, but this scene suggests a pure reflection of past happiness. The inscription adds to the sensory impact of the painting and mentions the sounds of nature and man-birds and temple bells.
    The composition is daring in its asymmetry and weighting of the landscape elements to one side. This slightly skewed effect exemplifies how Shitao used his exceptional skill as a painter to create engaging and seemingly naive images in the spirit of the Daoist principle that the "greatest skill seems like clumsiness." Shitao perfected an approach to art that profoundly influenced the evolution of Chinese painting.
  • 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

    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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