Blue-and-green landscape handscroll

Description

Tao Cheng
China, active 1466–1496
Blue-and-Green Landscape
Ming dynasty (1368–1644)
1470
Handscroll, ink and color on silk
Museum purchase made possible
by the Margaret Watson Parker
Art Collection Fund, 1978/1.163

Blue-and-green landscape painting was typically practiced by court artists,
and this scroll includes a red oval-shaped seal indicating it was a part of
the collection of Qing dynasty Emperor Qianlong (r. 1736–1795). It pictures
figures going about their lives among rolling mountains, leading cattle to
drink along the riverside and dangling fishing lines over the edge of small
boats in hopes of catching something for dinner. The green and blue colors
are derived from mineral and azurite pigments, whose iridescent qualities
add to the radiance of the work. Highlights of red pigment enliven a grove
of trees near the middle of the section on display. The detail work in the
trees is spectacular—twisted and knotted trunks seem to bend against
gravity, in some cases revealing networks of tangled roots.

2021 Gallery Rotation
___________

Among the rolling green mountains, figures in this scroll go about their lives, leading cattle to drink along the riverside and dangling fishing lines over the edge of small boats in hopes of catching something for dinner. The luminous greens and blues in this handscroll are derived from mineral and azurite pigments, whose iridescent qualities add to the radiance of the work. Such blue-and-green landscape technique was typically practiced by court painters, and this scroll includes a red oval-shaped seal indicating that it was a part of the collection of Qing Dynasty Emperor Qianlong (r. 1736-1795).
Blue-and-green landscape painting often also incorporates highlights of red pigment, and in this scroll adds brilliance to a grove of trees near the middle of the section displayed. The detail work in the trees is spectacular, with twisted and knotted trunks that seem to refuse to stand upright, but bend against gravity, in some cases revealing networks of tangled roots.
exhibited summer 2010
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The luminous greens and blues in this handscroll are derived from mineral and azurite pigments, whose iridescent qualities add to the radiance of the work. This blue-and-green landscape technique was typically practiced by court painters. Blue-and-green landscape painting often also incorporates highlights of red pigment, which in this scroll adds brilliance to a grove of trees near the middle. The trees are particularly detailed, with twisted and knotted trunks that seem to refuse to stand upright, bending against gravity and in some cases revealing networks of tangled roots.
(6/28/10)
(Chinese Gallery Rotation, Spring 2010)