Sparse Trees, hanging scroll, 68x57, Japan
Ni Zan was the Yuan Dynasty's king of minimalism and a notorious clean freak who reportedly scrubbed his house until his servants collapsed—so it's no surprise he painted landscapes completely devoid of people! This scroll features his classic 'one river, two banks' composition: a couple of scraggly trees (a pine and a bare deciduous tree) huddle on a rocky shore, staring across a vast, empty river at distant mountains. The dry, scratchy brushstrokes feel almost like a sketch, emphasizing a mood of lonely detachment. The empty space at the top is now crowded with poems from later fans, including Emperor Qianlong, who just couldn't help but leave his own poetic graffiti on this masterpiece.
- Technique
- Ink wash painting
- Material
- Paper
- Dimensions
- 68 x 57 cm