- Title
- Mountain and River Scene with River and Two Small Boats
- Date Made
- Qing dynasty
- Medium
- Album leaf, ink on silk
- Dimensions
- Image: 10 5/8 x 13 7/8 in. (27 x 35.24 cm); Mount: 15 1/2 x 18 in. (39.37 x 45.72 cm)
- Accession Number
- M.75.88.2
- Collecting Area
- Chinese and Korean Art
- Curatorial Notes
The Qing-dynasty artist and antiquarian Wen Ding mastered the arts of painting, calligraphy, and seal carving, and also assembled a fine collection of bronzes, stones, and other early Chinese cultural artifacts. He was likely inspired by the painting style of Wen Zhengming (1470−1559), from whom he was possibly a descendant, and the seal-carving techniques of Wen Peng (1498−1573; Wen Zhengming’s oldest son). This and three other paintings in LACMA’s collection (see M.74.92.1, M.74.92.2, and M.75.88.1) may originally have belonged to an album that included more images. As topographical landscapes of the famous Mount Yandang in Zhejiang Province, the album leaves provide faithful records of specific sites, although Wen Ding took some liberties by idealizing certain features. The names of scenic places are indicated with tiny labels, and the artist’s sense of humor is evident in the depictions of some of these locations. The set of paintings could have functioned as personal memorabilia or as advertisements for a spectacularly beautiful destination.
This leaf presents a composition half of which depicts water areas. In the center is a meandering waterfall with several tributaries. Many buildings are illustrated in detail and labeled with their names. In the lower right corner is a large object in the shape of a pot, possibly a rock.
The inscription reads: “Wen Ding of Xiushui [present-day Jiaxing].” The seal reads: “Wen Houshan.”
Wan Kong
2024