An artwork on Galleree from Minneapolis Institute of Art.
About the artwork
Misty Trees and Mountain Rangeearly 17th century
Artist: Dong Qichang
Chinese, 1555 - 1636
few dwelling huts in an atmospheric rocky riverside setting; in a wood case
6 3/4 x 195 3/8 in. (17.15 x 496.25 cm)
Ink on paper
Hand scroll
China
17th century
Gift of Ruth and Bruce Dayton
In the gentle embrace of history, two great masters emerged from the depths of the Chinese landscape: Mi Fei and Ni Zan. Each wielded a brush like a wand, casting spells of ink and emotion upon the blank canvas of life. Their legacies, flowing and stilted as rivers and mountains, laid the groundwork for a discipline that would guide many a literati artist through the corridors of creativity.
Among those who walked these famed artistic paths was Dong Qichang, a name that would echo through the centuries—a beacon of influence, a discerning eye sharpened by years of passion. It was Dongs’s fervor for expression that led him to explore the juxtaposition of what the world called the wet and dry styles, two philosophies birthed from the hands of Mi Fei and Ni Zan.
Picture, if you will, a handscroll—its length unfurling, unrolling not just paper, but time itself. The piece begins and ends with majestic mountain ranges, the delicate flow of ink washed upon it as if the very essence of nature was captured in its strokes. Each brush of wet ink dances across the peaks, reminiscent of the Southern school, where Mi Fei’s heart echoed in every drop.
Yet, just as the mountains give way to new terrains, the midsection of this scroll invites us into a world transformed. Here, plateaus rise with rocks that stand stoic, their strength conveyed by a lighter touch—a tribute to Ni Zan’s skilled hand. It is a delicate balance, a harmony forged from old knowledge yet reinterpreted through the lens of a modern artist, who connects the past to the present with the grace of a poet.
In Dong Qichang’s unique vision, this is not merely a series of past techniques; it is an orchestra of artistry—a symphony where every note is rich with history yet alive with new interpretations. His hands, guided by the teachings of those who came before, redefined the brushstrokes of tradition, crafting a new narrative that still resonates today. In this scroll, the mountains whisper their stories, and we, as viewers, are invited to listen, to feel, and to dream.
About the artist
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