Mountainous Gallery

The Conference at Block Drift, Kaffirland, on 30th June 1846 (colour aquatint)

NAM195662 The Conference at Block Drift, Kaffirland, on 30th June 1846 (colour aquatint) by Martens, Henry (fl.1825-60) (after); National Army Museum, London; (add.info.: antecedent meeting between Lieutenant Governor Colonel Hare and the Kaffir Chief Sandilli before the commencement of hostilities) (c) National Army Museum ; English, out of copyright

© National Army Museum / Bridgeman Images

Spring Tree Grove Before Rain, from an album of 12 leaves, 1723 (ink & colour on paper)

6124971 Spring Tree Grove Before Rain, from an album of 12 leaves, 1723 (ink & colour on paper) by Jin Yongxi (fl.1695-1723); 55.3x33 cm; Minneapolis Institute of Arts, MN, USA; (add.info.: Jin Yongxi, a literati painter from Suzhou, was a pupil of the orthodox master Wang Yuanqi (1642-1715). Each leaf of this exceptionally large album is inspired by a past master of the Song (960-1279) or Yuan (1280-1368) literati tradition. Jin has inscribed the name of the artist that inspired each of his compositions. Although Jin's paintings vary considerably from their sources, they do capture the essential style associated with the famous painters he emulates. While working in Beijing, Jin apparently had access to the imperial collection which accounts for his broad and accurate knowledge of historical styles of painting. The Qinglai pavilion in which the artist painted this album likely belonged go the literatus, Gao Shiqi (1645-1703), a high official and secretary to the emperor. A major collector, Gao may in fact have commissioned the album.); Photo: © Minneapolis Institute of Arts, MN, USA; Gift of Ruth and Bruce Dayton

© Photo: © Minneapolis Institute of Arts, MN, USA Gift of Ruth and Bruce Dayton / Bridgeman Images

Landscape, 1734 (ink & colour on paper)

6199658 Landscape, 1734 (ink & colour on paper) by Wang Su (fl.1733-66); Minneapolis Institute of Arts, MN, USA; (add.info.: Wang Su was a nephew of Wang Yuanqi(1642-1715) and the great grandson of Wang Shimin(1592-1680), two of the most important Qing "orthodox" painters. He was skilled in poetry and passed the first level official examinations. With the fall of the Ming dynasty in 1646, the creative impulse of literati artists surged in the wake of political turmoil and moral crisis. By the 18th century however, their successors had settled into a life of prosperity, social order and ideological conformity. A leading orthodox school was formed in Jiangsu province. Comprised of followers of Wang Yuanqi and Wang Shimin, the Lou Dong group, as it was known, was partial to the painting styles of 14th century literati masters. Like others in his circle, Wang Su declined to outwardly assert his individual identity, confining his expression to compositional clarity, exacting use of light color washes, and meticulous but unassuming brushwork. This orthodox tradition was mainstream painting during most of Qing and this classic composition by Wang is a scholarly exercise whose attraction is based on stylistic allusions to past masters like Huang Kung Wang (1269-1354).); © Minneapolis Institute of Art; Gift of Ruth and Bruce Dayton; Chinese, out of copyright

© © Minneapolis Institute of Art Gift of Ruth and Bruce Dayton / Bridgeman Images