Artwork

清王槩設計，李漁出版芥子園畫傳版本|Old Trees by Li Cheng (919–967), as interpreted by Kuncan (1612–1673), from the Mustard Seed Garden Manual of Painting

清王槩設計，李漁出版芥子園畫傳版本|Old Trees by Li Cheng (919–967), as interpreted by Kuncan (1612–1673), from the Mustard Seed Garden Manual of Painting is an ink print by the Baroque artist Wang Gai. It dates from 1679 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

This woodblock print, created in 1679 by Wang Gai, interprets the work of Li Cheng (919–967) as featured in the Mustard Seed Garden Manual of Painting, published by Li Yu. Now part of The Metropolitan Museum of Art's collection, it depicts a book page illustration of natural scenery.

Subject & Meaning

The print illustrates two contrasting yet complementary scenes across open book pages. The left page focuses on the natural, with bare trees and rocky outcroppings, while the right introduces human presence—a figure in robes near a village—set against a backdrop of layered mountains and more trees, suggesting harmony between nature and human life.

Technique & Style

Characterized by meticulous ink lines defining every element, from leaves to rocks, the print employs cross-hatching to achieve depth and shading. Subtle color accents hint at shadows, reflecting techniques common in East Asian printmaking that emphasize line work and nuanced layering for visual depth.

History & Provenance

Produced in 1679 by Wang Gai for the Mustard Seed Garden Manual of Painting, published by Li Yu, the print is an interpretation of Li Cheng's 10th-century aesthetic. It is currently housed at The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Context

Part of the Mustard Seed Garden Manual of Painting, this work represents a compilation aimed at teaching painting techniques, blending historical influences (like Li Cheng's style) with 17th-century interpretive practices, highlighting the continuity of artistic traditions in East Asia.

Legacy

As part of a influential manual, this print contributed to the dissemination of traditional Chinese painting techniques and the appreciation of historical artists like Li Cheng, influencing subsequent generations of East Asian artists and printmakers.