Pavilion in an Autumn Grove

Object Details

• Artist

  Cheng Jiasui (1565-1643)

• Calligrapher

  Cheng Jiasui (1565-1643)

• Label

  Reviving and reinterpreting the styles and archetypical compositional formulas of the old masters has been a common practice for Chinese painters throughout history. In this scroll, Cheng Jiasui, who devoted himself to poetry and painting after failing the examinations to become a public official, chose to paint in the style of the famous Yuan dynasty master Ni Can (1301-74), whom Cheng mentions in his inscription. Ni Can's original paintings are renowned for their ineffably light, dry brushwork and emotive spareness. His approach was especially admired by scholars in the seventeenth century who felt that appreciation of Ni Can's tranquil or so-called bland style reflected their own erudition and refinement. Followers of Ni Can, however, could never quite duplicate his original technique; so here, while copying a typical Ni Can composition, Cheng Jiasui interjected his own personal touch, which is looser and more decorative than Ni Can's. Nevertheless, Cheng was able to maintain the mood of subdued elegance associated with Ni Can.

• Provenance

  To ?

  Frank Caro (1904-1980), New York. [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 file.

  [2] See note 1.

  [3] See note 1.

• Collection

  Arthur M. Sackler Collection

• Exhibition History

  The Painter as Poet (September 21 to December 10, 2000)

  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

  Frank Caro (1904-1980)

  Dr. Arthur M. Sackler (1913-1987)

• Origin

  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

  1630s

• Name

  Sackler, Arthur M., Caro, Frank

• Place

  China

• Topic

  Pavilion, Art, Autumn, Chinese Art, Ming dynasty (1368 - 1644)

• Culture

  Chinese

• Object Type

  Paintings