An artwork on Galleree from Minneapolis Institute of Art.
About the artwork
Landscape in the blue-green stylec. 1700
Artist: Unknown
75 7/8 x 39 in. (192.72 x 99.06 cm) (image)
112 1/2 x 62 3/4 in. (285.75 x 159.39 cm) (mount)
Ink and color on silk
Hanging scroll
China
17th-18th century
Gift of Mr. Joseph R. Wright
A gentle morning unfolds by the river as the sun begins to cast its warm, golden light over a quaint village. In the foreground, a cluster of thatched huts stands gracefully beside the shimmering water, their windows flung wide open, inviting curious glances into the lives within. Inside one hut, a small group of friends is deeply engrossed in a game of Weiqi, or Go, their faces animated as they strategize their next moves, the quiet intensity of the game resonating with the stillness of the river.
Not too far off, the air is filled with the enticing aroma of cooked meals wafting from a small restaurant. Two travelers sit at a simple wooden table, sharing laughter and stories over bowls of steaming food, their connection transcending the layers of culture and distance. Meanwhile, fishermen glide silently on the water, their boats barely creating a ripple. With practiced ease, they cast their lines, each flick of the wrist another thread woven into the rich tapestry of daily life.
Just beyond the bank, a ferry emerges from the mist, its arrival heralded by the cheerful chatter of those disembarking onto the welcoming shore. The hum of life continues as people come and go, while further upstream, the river melds smoothly into nature’s embrace. There, small thatched huts are nestled among the lush, green trees, creating a picturesque panorama that seems to sing of serenity.
As your gaze drifts upward, the scene shifts dramatically. The middle ground reveals a shroud of clouds and mist, cloaking the tall mountains that rise majestically into the sky. It’s here that multiple temples stand proud at the mountain’s peak, their ancient architecture whispering tales of spirituality and the reverence of Daoism and Buddhism. Scattered across the valleys, these sacred structures invoke a sense of the otherworldly, as if they are guardians of secrets that reach far beyond the earthly realm.
The painting captures a striking contrast: the bustling life of the village, alive with laughter, games, and meals, dances alongside the tranquil stillness of the spiritual world, forever separated by the ethereal mist that envelops the mountains. It is a delicate balance, an invitation to step into the serenity, to pause and reflect on the two worlds—the lively and the profound, harmoniously intertwined in this serene moment by the river.
About the artist
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