An artwork on Galleree from Minneapolis Institute of Art.
About the artwork
Early Spring Landscape1752
Artist: Cai Jia
Chinese, 1686-after 1756
mountainous landscape with scattered trees; red buildings at L and LRC; two small figures inside a building in LLQ, with small standing figure nearby; 4 seals
51-3/8 x 27-15/16 in. (130.5 x 71.0 cm)
Ink and light colors on paper
Hanging scroll
China
18th century
Gift of Ruth and Bruce Dayton
In a land where silence reigns and nature hums a gentle lullaby, a serene scene unfolds. There, in the foreground, a glistening river flows gracefully, its waters dancing with the sunlight that spills over the mountains. As the river winds its way upward, it draws the eye to a tranquil haven nestled within the valley—a Buddhist monastery, a sanctuary of peace untouched by the chaos of the world.
Above this serene abode, a poem graces the canvas, whispering the thoughts of a tranquil soul in search of solace. It speaks of a monk’s humble mat, the warmth of a fragrant lamp, and the simple joy of tea shared in moments of quiet reflection.
"I came to visit a temple with great joy," the poem begins, as if inviting us into this sacred space where earthly sounds fade away, leaving only the soft rustle of leaves and the distant songs of birds. Time itself seems to shift, captured in the ever-changing tapestry of nature. The fragrant southern winds carry whispers of spring, mingling with the crispness of northern snow that wraps the mountains in its embrace.
Ah, but life has its seasons—spring teasing winter as plum blossoms bloom, their delicate petals a promise of warmer days ahead. The poem echoes with a sense of belonging, revealing a journey that loops back, as if returning home late, the heart full of inspiration.
Beneath the fading glow of the sunset, the poet finds solace in crafting verses, each word a brushstroke painting the quiet beauty of the world around. "The smoke that shrouds the old tree grove disperses the crows," it concludes, weaving together nature’s rhythm with the personal journey of the heart.
In this tableau of tranquility, there is a reminder: amidst life's clamor, one can always find peace in the embrace of nature, where stories are not only told but felt deeply, resonating in the quiet spaces of our lives.
About the artist
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