Natural Rock Bridge

Lu Zhi

1556

Natural Rock Bridge by Lu Zhi, 1556

Lu Zhi, a master of the Ming Dynasty's Wu School, created this towering landscape in 1556 that makes humans look like tiny ants. Jagged, vertical cliffs rise up to form a dramatic natural stone arch, where you can spot minuscule figures crossing the deep gorge. The artist used delicate ink outlines and soft, earthy washes to give the rocks a textured, almost floating appearance. The calligraphy in the top right corner isn't just a signature; it's a poem describing the scene, blending literature directly into the visual art.

Technique
Ink and color on paper
Material
Paper
Dimensions
133.7 x 59.1 cm

Location: The Metropolitan Museum of Art

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