A Picture of the Mountain Dwelling<br />

Description

Gong Xian was a painter and poet celebrated for his
innovative use of multiple layers of short vertical
brushstrokes to give a sense of texture to mountains and
rocks. Such brushstrokes were characteristic of the acclaimed
Song dynasty (960–1279) literati (amateur scholar-artist)
master Mi Fu (1051–1107). The study and imitation of the
styles of past masters was central to the literati tradition,
as was the painter’s expression of self through brushwork.
Gong Xian took inspiration from Mi Fu’s style to develop his
own style, which is called hei-gong, or “black Gong.”
The thatched-roof hut perched in the mountains represents
Gong Xian’s home on Clear and Cold Hill in Nanjing. In the
inscription he expresses his longing for a reclusive life and
contempt for the corrupt world, an important literati theme:
“To live in an elevated way, one should beg a favor of the
boulder and use it as a terrace. With all eight windows fully
open, the dwelling becomes pleasant and bright. Day after
day I gaze at the mountain and never tire of it. How many
can forget their mundane affairs, exit the city, and enjoy this
splendor?”
Fall 2015 Gallery Rotation
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Inscription: To live elevated … Gong Xian [a.k.a.] Banmou
Two seals of the artist
Gong Xian, a skillful painter and poet, celebrated for his innovative use of multiple layers of short vertical brushstrokes to texture mountains and rocks, used the thatched-roof hut perched in the mountains to represent his home on Clear and Cold Hill in Nanjing. Gong Xian’s inscription reads:
[In order] to live elevated, one should entreat a favor of the stone boulder [and use it] as a terrace [foundation].
Open fully all eight windows; [the dwelling] becomes pleasant and bright.
Day after day I gaze at the mountain and never tire of it.
[I wonder] how many can forget their mundane affairs, exit the city, [and enjoy this splendor]?