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Buddhist Retreat by Stream and Mountain
Juran (Chinese)
Medium: hanging scroll, ink on silk
Measurements: Overall: 185.4cm x 57.5cm
Date: 960 - 980
Gift of Katharine Holden Thayer 1959.348
Location: Not on display

China

The Chinese collection is particularly strong in painting, ranging in date from the Song through Qing Dynasties-the 10th through the 19th centuries. One of the premiere collections outside of China and Japan and the 3rd most important in this country (after those of Boston and the Metropolitan), the 250 works of art include masterpieces by leading artists essential to the evolution of this art form.

Among these are Juran's Buddhist Retreat in Stream and Mountains (Five Dynasties, 10th century); Dong Yuan's Summer Mountains (Five Dynasties, 10th century) The Song Dynasty, Streams and Mountains without End (about 1101-1150); Zhao Mengfu's Bamboo, Rocks and Lonely Orchids and River Village: Fisherman's Joy, 13th century Yuan Dynasty; Wu Zhen's Poetic Feeling in a Thatched Hut, dated 1347, Yuan Dynasty (1279-1368); Wen Zhengming's Bamboo in Wind (Ming Dynasty 1368-1644); Dong Qichang's Blue Bian Mountains (1555-1636; Ming Dynasty) ; Zhu Da's Fish and Rocks ( 1624-1705; Qing Dynasty ) and Giuseppe Castiglione (Lang Shining)'s Qing Dynasty masterwork, Inauguration Portraits of Emperor Qianlong, the Empress, and Eleven Imperial Consorts.

The ceramic collection includes rare examples of 12th century imperial Ru ware (Brush Washer), exquisite pieces of early Qingbai porcelain (1101-1127; Fluted Cup with Dragon Handles, and a Blue and White porcelain Brushwasher from the Xuande Period, 1426-35. The collection also houses outstanding works of jade, bronzes and ceramics.

The Buddhist tradition is equally represented in painting and sculpture. Rare survivors of the 9th century Buddhist iconoclastic period include the Tang Dynasty seated hollow lacquer Bodhisattva (about 750-850 AD) and the Northern Qi (550-577) marble trinity Stele with Shakyamuni and Maitreya.
The collection also houses outstanding examples of ancient bronzes, jade and ceramics. A recent 2001 purchase of outstanding examples of zhenmoushou Pair of Tomb Guardians, Tang Dynasty sancai ceramic sculptures (late 600s or early 700s AD) stengthens the collection of China's mortuary arts.

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