Artwork
明 佚名 楊昇(僞款) 白雲紅樹圖 軸|Misty Landscape
明 佚名 楊昇(僞款) 白雲紅樹圖 軸|Misty Landscape is an ink painting by the Ming dynasty painting artist After Yang Sheng. It dates from 1506 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. This hanging scroll, executed in ink and color on silk, depicts a tranquil mountain scene rendered in a misty palette of blues and grays.
About this work
Overview
This hanging scroll, executed in ink and color on silk, depicts a tranquil mountain scene rendered in a misty palette of blues and grays. The composition is organized around a series of softened peaks, a modest structure at the foot of the cliffs, and a pair of monkeys perched on the left side, observing the landscape below.
Subject & Meaning
The work presents a serene natural setting where the interplay of clouds and rock suggests a contemplative atmosphere. The solitary building and sparse vegetation may allude to human presence within the vastness of nature, while the monkeys introduce a lively, observational element that balances the quietude of the scene.
Technique & Style
Brushwork is characterized by smooth, flowing strokes that avoid harsh outlines, allowing the hills and clouds to dissolve into one another. The color scheme remains subdued, dominated by muted blues and grays, with occasional touches of green that hint at foliage without disrupting the overall restraint.
History & Provenance
Attributed to an anonymous hand working in the style of Yang Sheng, the scroll bears a false signature that links it to the Ming dynasty, specifically dated to 1506. Its provenance traces through later collections, where it has been recognized as a representative example of Ming landscape painting on silk.
Artist & collection
