Summer Retreat
Xie Shichen (Hsieh Shih-ch'en)
Description
A close look at this work reveals two distinct modes
of painting: one a realistic depiction of figures and
architectural details and the other a freer rendering of
rocks and trees. In addition the composition has multiple
focal points, each illustrating a different summer activity.
These self-contained and independent narratives seem
to create a sense of disunity among the many elements of
the painting. Nonetheless, the skill the artist displays in
depicting detail results in an appealingly complex, if
perhaps unbalanced, work.
The combination of disparate painting styles may be due
to the fact that Xie Shichen was an artist whose painting
emulated characteristics of both the professional Zhe
School and the literati (amateur scholar-artist) Wu School.
The Zhe school painters, who employed the detailed style,
were traditionally associated with the imperial academy and
often obtained commissions to decorate its buildings. Wu
School painters, who were free from political obligations
and constraints, were adept at calligraphy and poetry and
employed an expressive style. Though the styles of these two
rival schools became polarized and were rarely combined
during the second half of the century, before that time they
coexisted, as exemplified in this work.
Fall 2015 Gallery Rotation
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Inscription: A precipitous cliff … Xie Shichen
Two seals of the artist
Xie Shichen is a Suzhou artist whose painting exhibits characteristics of both the professional Zhe School and literati Wu School. The figures and architectural details suggest the Zhe School’s interest in realism, while the free brushwork of the rocks and trees is inspired by the Wu style’s emphasis on expressionistic brushwork. Inside the pavilion three figures are engaged in a game of chess, while others fish or stroll leisurely in the lush summer landscape. The artist’s inscription on the upper right corner reads:
A precipitous cliff with turbulent cascades rises from the level ground.
A lofty tower with secluded chambers presses against the open heavens.
Gallery Rotation Winter 2012
Xie Shichen
China, 1478–after 1567
Summer Retreat
Ming dynasty (1368–1644)
mid-16th century
Hanging scroll, ink and light color on silk
Museum purchase made possible by the Margaret Watson Parker Art Collection Fund, 1961/1.161
A close look at this work reveals two distinct modes of painting: one a realistic depiction of figures and architectural details and the other a freer rendering of rocks and trees. In addition the composition has multiple focal points, each illustrating a different summer activity. These self-contained and independent narratives seem to reinforce a sense of disunity among the many elements of the painting. Nonetheless, the skill the artist displays in depicting detail results in an appealingly complex, if perhaps unbalanced, work.
The combination of disparate painting styles in this work may be due to the fact that Xie Shichen was a Suzhou artist whose painting emulated characteristics of both the professional Zhe School and the literati (non-professional scholar-artist) Wu School. The Zhe school painters, who employed the detailed style, were traditionally associated with the government bureaucracy and often obtained commissions to decorate its buildings. Wu school painters, who were free from political obligations and constraints, were adept at calligraphy and poetry and employed the expressive style. Though the styles of these two rival schools became polarized and were rarely combined during the second half of the century, before this they coexisted, as exemplified in this work.
Subject Matter:
A close look at this work reveals two distinct approaches to/styles/modes of painting: one,a realistic depiction of figures and architectural details and the other a freer rendering of rocks and trees. In addition the composition has multiple focal points, each illustrating a distinct/different summer activity. These self-contained and independent narratives seem to convey a lack of concern with unifying/reinforce a sense of disunity among the many elements of the painting. Nonetheless, the skill the artist displays in depicting detail results in an appealingly complex, if perhaps unbalanced, work.
The [combination/use of disparate painting styles in this work may be] due to the fact that Xie Shichen was a Suzhou artist whose painting emulated characteristics of both the professional Zhe School and literati (non-professional artist) Wu School, between which existed a simmering/an incipient artistic rivalry in the early sixteenth century. The Zhe school painters were traditionally associated with the government bureacracy, and often obtained commissions to decorate its buildings [style characterized by]. Wu school painters, who were free from political obligations and constraints, were adept at calligraphy and poetry. Though the styles of these two rival schools became polarized and were rarely combined during the second half of the century, before this they coexisted, as exemplified in this work.
Physical Description:
This is a very dense landscape painting. There are waterfalls, clouds, trees and cliffs present in the painting. The colors consist of muted greens and browns. Towards the lower half of the painting, there is a view of an interior with four figures present, three of which are sitting at a low table. There is a staircase on the lower right, with a man standing on it, looking upwards. There is also a house on a cliff towards the upper right of the painting. There is calligraphy in the upper right hand corner, with a red seal. There is another red seal, although a bit faded, in the lower left corner of the image.
Usage Rights:
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