Artwork

Layered Peaks and Splashing Waterfall: Portrait of Hua Yan as a Young Man

Layered Peaks and Splashing Waterfall: Portrait of Hua Yan as a Young Man is an unspecified painting by the Baroque artist Hua Yan. It dates from 1705 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

About this work

The sword hints at a dream of military life, while the robe shows a love for scholarship.

A young man in a flowing robe stands against a rocky waterfall. A sword peeks over his shoulder. The background is a misty mountain scene with sharp, layered peaks.

This is Hua Yan at 23, painted by a friend and himself. The sword hints at a dream of military life, while the robe shows a love for scholarship. It’s a quiet clash of two paths. The landscape already shows the skill he’d later become known for.

To see more of his work, look up Hua Yan (Chinese, 1682–c. 1765).

Overview

Layered Peaks and Splashing Waterfall: Portrait of Hua Yan as a Young Man is a collaborative painting featuring Hua Yan at the age of 23, executed by Hua Yan and his friend Wei Shijie.

Subject & Meaning

The portrait depicts Hua Yan wearing a scholar's robe with a sword at his back, symbolizing his conflicting aspirations for a military career and a scholarly life. The juxtaposition of these elements suggests a complex personality.

Technique & Style

Hua Yan painted the landscape background, showcasing his early skill in this genre. The misty mountain scene features sharp, layered peaks and a waterfall, demonstrating his emerging talent.

History & Provenance

The painting is a joint work by Hua Yan and Wei Shijie, with inscriptions added by nine of Hua Yan's contemporary friends. While Wei Shijie is relatively unknown, Hua Yan went on to become a prominent painter.

Artist & collection

Artist

Hua Yan

Hua Yan simplified Chinese: 华嵒; traditional Chinese: 華嵒; pinyin: Huà Yán; Wade–Giles: Hua Yen; courtesy name Qiu Yue (秋岳), sobriquets Xinluo Shanren (新罗山人), Dong Yuan Sheng (东园生), Buyi Sheng (布衣生), Ligou Jushi (离垢居士)and…