COLLECTION NAME:
National Palace English
Record
Work ID:
M01E00212
Title:
Trees and Rock
Creation Date:
Yuan Dynasty
Start Year Date:
A.D.1271
End Year Date:
A.D.1368
Dynasty:
44 Yuan Dynasty (A.D. 1272~1368)
Creator:
Zhao Meng-fu
Creation Place:
China
Measurements:
54.1 x 28.3 cm
Material:
Ink on paper
Form:
Ce-ye (album leaf)
Type:
Painting
Subject:
Landscape
Repository:
The National Palace Museum, Taipei
Description:
Zhao Mengfu has located the rock at the heart of his painting. To the side grow three withered trees and several new bamboo. At the center the withered trees and bamboo groves reveal, then conceal the large rock. Zhao has used the technique called "flying white" to depict the rock. The brush rises and falls, twisting and turning. Vigorous and strong, it renders the hardness and solidity of the rock, and nothing is lost. The method of depicting the trees, which adopts the techniques of writing seal script calligraphy, is accomplished and effectively conveys the old tree's hoary, mottled appearance. In drawing the withered tree's tender new growths, the brushwork is rapid, the brush firm. The sections of the bamboo are rounded and vigorous, the ink tones rich. In painting the bamboo leaves, the brush rises and falls with purpose, like the eight strokes making up the character "yong" in standard script. Even for the various grasses on the slope, Zhao's use of standard script brush strokes demonstrates an accomplished method. Even though this painting depicts concrete subject matter, the more important element is the artistic resonance resulting from the use of the calligraphic methods. Trees and Rock is a concrete embodiment of Zhao's philosophy that calligraphy and painting share the same origin.
ImageV ID:
M01E00212AS001
Rights:
Lee & Lee Communications