Miniature Album with Figures and Landscape (Old Man on Donkey)

Rendered with swift brushwork, the painting employs loose ink lines and subtle washes that give the scene a spontaneous feel. The donkey’s tail is rendered as a short, stiff stroke, and a column of black ink on the left side appears to be a brief inscription, perhaps a poem or note accompanying the image.

Created during the early nineteenth century, the piece reflects artistic practices of the Qianlong period’s later influence. It entered the Cleveland Museum of Art’s collection through acquisition, though specific details of its prior ownership are not recorded in the available sources.

Zeng Yandong worked within a tradition of literati painting that valued personal expression and informal sketches. The work’s playful subject and rapid execution align with the era’s interest in capturing everyday moments and the transient qualities of travel.