Artwork
清 佚名 舊傳陸治 秋林圖 軸|An Autumnal Grove
清 佚名 舊傳陸治 秋林圖 軸|An Autumnal Grove is an ink painting by the Ming dynasty painting artist After Lu Zhi. It dates from 1639 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Created in 1639, this hanging scroll presents a quiet autumnal scene rendered in ink and subtle colour on paper.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1639, this hanging scroll presents a quiet autumnal scene rendered in ink and subtle colour on paper. The composition stretches vertically, inviting the viewer to follow a winding path through a grove where a solitary scholar ambles among twisted trees whose branches are tinged with a few scarlet leaves.
Subject & Meaning
The work centers on a solitary figure traversing a forested lane, a motif that evokes contemplation and the scholarly retreat into nature. The lone scholar’s presence underscores themes of solitude and reflection, while the autumnal foliage suggests the passage of time and the fleeting beauty of the natural world.
Technique & Style
The artist employs dry‑brush strokes to render the bark, giving the trunks a tactile, almost three‑dimensional quality. The trees are depicted with sinuous, dancer‑like twists, and the restrained palette of ink and pale colour highlights the delicate red leaves, creating a balanced interplay of line and wash typical of late Ming landscape conventions.
History & Provenance
Although the scroll bears no signature, its stylistic traits align with the oeuvre of the 16th‑century painter Lu Zhi, leading scholars to attribute it to his circle. The piece is dated to the early Qing period and has been catalogued as an anonymous work following the Lu Zhi tradition, reflecting the continued influence of his style beyond his lifetime.
Artist & collection
