Artwork Page for Willows

Details / Information for Willows

Willows

1100s

China, Southern Song dynasty

(1127–1279)
Medium
album leaf; ink and light color on silk
Measurements
Image: 23.8 x 25.1 cm (9 3/8 x 9 7/8 in.)
Credit Line
The Kelvin Smith Collection, given by Mrs. Kelvin Smith 1985.365
Public Domain
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Location
Not on view
Print
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Did You Know?

This river scene features low-lying spits of land surrounded by lotuses and bands of mist floating amid overhanging willows.

Description

A single scholar in a skiff drifts beneath shade-giving willows and savors his view of mountain peaks just emerging from the pervasive river mist. Round lotus leaves and vertical marsh reeds join with the dotted grasses and curving willow leaves to provide considerable textural variety within the foreground area, which contrasts with the more irregular texturing of the distant mountains. Misty space plays an active part in the composition, and the components of the painting are organized around bisecting diagonals.
A circular silk painting in ink and light color depicts gnarled willow trees clustered along a shoreline on our left. Dense, layered dabs of ink form their dark green foliage. A small figure sits in a thin boat nearby. To our right, muted brown mountains emerge through a thick, obscuring haze. Red square seals mark the lower right area. Soft, delicate washes define the hazy sky and water across the aged brown silk.

Willows

1100s

China, Southern Song dynasty (1127–1279)

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