Artwork

Clearing Autumn Mists in the Chu Mountains

Clearing Autumn Mists in the Chu Mountains, by Lan Ying, unspecified, 1604
Clearing Autumn Mists in the Chu Mountains, by Lan Ying, unspecified, 1604

Clearing Autumn Mists in the Chu Mountains is an unspecified painting by the Baroque artist Lan Ying. It dates from 1604 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

About this work

Clouds wrap around the hills, making them feel light and floating.

This painting shows misty mountains with soft, rounded shapes. The trees in the front look like dark smudges against the light. Clouds wrap around the hills, making them feel light and floating.

Lan Ying copied old masters to learn their tricks. He used Mi Fu’s round brush dots to shape the clouds and trees. It’s like he practiced their moves before making his own version.

Want to see more like this? Look up artist Lan Ying (Chinese, 1585–after 1664).

Overview

Clearing Autumn Mists in the Chu Mountains is a painting by Lan Ying, a Chinese artist active during the late Ming dynasty.

Subject & Meaning

The painting depicts a serene landscape of mist-shrouded mountains and a tree grove in the foreground, conveying a sense of lightness and depth.

Technique & Style

Lan Ying employed 'Mi dots,' a brush technique associated with Mi Fu, to render the clouds and trees, demonstrating his engagement with traditional methods and his ability to adapt them to his own expression.

History & Provenance

Lan Ying's work was influenced by his study of various masters and schools, and he in turn influenced notable artists such as Liu Du and Chen Hongshou.

Artist & collection

Artist

Lan Ying

Lan Ying grew up in the southeastern city of Hangzhou, where misty mountains roll into the sea.

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: Cleveland Museum of Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.