Artwork
明 陳祼 茂樹清泉圖 扇|Recluse washing his feet in a stream
明 陳祼 茂樹清泉圖 扇|Recluse washing his feet in a stream is an ink painting by the Ming dynasty painting artist Chen Guan. It dates from 1629 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Overview
Recluse washing his feet in a stream is a landscape painting by Chen Guan, created in 1629. Executed in ink and color on paper, it was originally a folding fan before being mounted as an album leaf. The artwork presents a natural scene featuring trees, hills, and rocks, characteristic of traditional Chinese landscape art, and includes Chinese characters in the upper left corner.
Subject & Meaning
The painting's title, "Recluse washing his feet in a stream," suggests a theme of withdrawal from worldly affairs, a common motif in Chinese literati art.
The painting's title, "Recluse washing his feet in a stream," suggests a theme of withdrawal from worldly affairs, a common motif in Chinese literati art. The serene depiction of trees, hills, and rocks within the landscape evokes an environment suitable for contemplation and solitude. This imagery often represents an idealized escape into nature, reflecting philosophical ideals prevalent during the Ming dynasty.
Technique & Style
Rendered on a fan-shaped piece of paper, this work employs a restrained palette of ink and some color. The artist, Chen Guan, utilized simple lines to delineate the natural forms of the landscape, including the trees, hills, and rock formations. This direct and clear approach to composition is characteristic of certain schools of Chinese painting, emphasizing the essence of the natural scene.
Context
Created in 1629, this painting dates to the late Ming dynasty, a period when literati painting traditions were well-established. Artists frequently explored themes of nature and reclusion, often reflecting personal sentiments and broader philosophical currents. The format of a folding fan, later mounted as an album leaf, was a popular medium for such intimate landscape studies, intended for close appreciation.
Artist & collection
