臨王翬倣沈周雪景山水卷|Winter Landscape after Wang Hui’s Interpretation of Shen Zhou

Fu C. Y. Shen

1962 · Handscroll; ink on paper · Asian Art

In this winter landscape, the succession of scenes, presented from a constantly shifting perspective, moves between distant views and close-ups in a dynamic progression. The juxtaposition of leafy pines and bare deciduous trees, the gleaming snow on the terrain and treetops, and darkened sky evoke the chill of the season. Fu Shen is a major modern artist working in the classical mode of Chinese scholarly art. This work embodies his achievement in all its three branches, namely, painting, calligraphy, and seal-carving. This painting is exemplary of the way in which traditional Chinese painters learn their craft by copying the works of ancient masters. It is a 20th-century artist Fu Shen’s copy of a Qing dynasty (1644–1911) court painter Wang Hui’s interpretation of a Ming dynasty (1368–1644) scholar-artist Shen Zhou’s work. Most interestingly, as all the connoisseurs point out, Fu’s painting captures the essence of Shen’s style, which demonstrates the conscientious and successful emulation of Wang Hui as well as Fu Shen.

Artist

Fu C. Y. Shen

Date

1962

Medium

Handscroll; ink on paper

Culture

China

Department

Asian Art

Credit line

Gift of the artist, 2018