Untitled

Wang Jian

17th century · Album of eighteen leaves; ink and color on paper · Asian Art

Wang Jian's paintings exemplify the vision of a man steeped in tradition. A member of the educated elite, Wang enjoyed access to the region's numerous private collections as well as inheriting a rich assemblage of old masters from his grandfather Wang Shizhen (1526–1590). This firsthand knowledge of past masterpieces inspired Wang to follow the example of Dong Qichang (1555–1636) in seeking a personal artistic synthesis through the diligent study of "orthodox" models. This album is a virtuoso display of Wang Jian's command over his tradition. Each leaf recalls a specific past master, yet each presents a new solution in which the model is transformed by the smaller, album format as well as by Wang's distinctive brush mannerisms.

Artist

Wang Jian

Date

17th century

Medium

Album of eighteen leaves; ink and color on paper

Culture

China

Department

Asian Art

Credit line

Edward Elliott Family Collection, Gift of Douglas Dillon Gift, 1989