Red Cliff and Jade Trees, hanging scroll, on paper, 101.3x43
Huang Gongwang, a legendary master of the Yuan Dynasty and one of the 'Four Great Masters,' likely painted this towering landscape late in his life, possibly in his eighties. The scene depicts a dense, misty mountain world filled with lush pines and vegetation clinging to steep cliffs, with a tiny scholar's retreat hidden in the valley—a classic visual metaphor for escaping worldly chaos. His brushwork here is dry and textured, building up layers of ink to create a sense of ancient, rugged beauty that feels almost tactile. The long columns of calligraphy flanking the image are colophons added by later admirers and collectors, turning the scroll into a historical conversation across centuries.
- Technique
- Ink on paper
- Material
- Paper
- Dimensions
- 101.3 x 43 cm
Location: Palace Museum, Beijing