明 董其昌 山水圖詩 冊|Landscapes and Poems

Dong Qichang

17th century, probably after 1625 · Album of eight paintings and eight calligraphies; ink, gold and color on gold-flecked paper · Asian Art

Miffed that his tutor ranked him below his cousin because of inferior calligraphy, Dong Qichang at the age of sixteen dedicated himself to a study of the great calligraphers of the past. By the end of the century, he had become the most influential calligrapher of his age. Although Dong championed the aesthetic of monochromatic ink styles, he indulged in decorative effects in this album, using gold flecked paper with occasional mineral colors for the paintings and choosing a satin ground for his sleek cursive script. Each of the eight leaves, except number seven, is an homage to a past master paired with excerpts from Tang-dynasty landscape poetry. Despite the broad range of styles Dong imitated, the landscapes are remarkably similar to one another and reflect Dong's own intellectual approach to painting most of all.

Artist

Dong Qichang

Date

17th century, probably after 1625

Medium

Album of eight paintings and eight calligraphies; ink, gold and color on gold-flecked paper

Culture

China

Department

Asian Art

Credit line

Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Wan-go H. C. Weng, 1989