Artwork Page for Mt. Daochang

Details / Information for Mt. Daochang

Series Title: Eighteen Views of Huzhou, 湖州十八景圖

Mt. Daochang

道場山

c. 1588

Song Xu 宋旭

(Chinese, 1525-c. 1606)
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Culture
China, Jiaxing, Ming dynasty (1368–1644)
Medium
Album leaf; ink and color on silk
Measurements
Sheet: 26.4 x 28.4 cm (10 3/8 x 11 3/16 in.)
Credit Line
The Severance and Greta Millikin Purchase Fund 1998.78.13
Public Domain
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Location
Not on view
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Description

This album of landscape paintings depicts the famous scenic areas located in and around the city of Wuxing in southeastern China. These places were all known for their natural beauty, but in addition, a number were distinguished by their links to eminent historical figures and events. The artist, Song Xu, was not a native of Wuxing, but must have visited it when he accepted the commission, for he carefully depicted all eighteen views and wrote comments on each of them.

Song's gazetteerlike notation on this leaf reads:
Mount Daochang: From the prefectural city toward the south, about 5 to 6 li, there is the spiritual abode of Chan Master Fuhu [master who tamed tigers, or Zhifeng 志逢, 909–985]. On top [of the hill] are the Fuhu and Wanghu Pavilions. Looking farther south, one can see the mountains of Hangzhou. Looking toward the north, one can see all the way to Lake Tai and its hilly islands. Looking down, the city walls below with its towers and terraces are as splendid as in a painting.
An ink and color on silk painting depicts a steep, tan mountain with undulating slopes. A winding white path begins at the bottom center, leading past dense clusters of green pines and small figures. Buildings nestle into the hillside, ascending toward a temple complex and pagoda at the summit. Two gray-blue clouds float to the right. Chinese calligraphy and red seals occupy the upper right corner. Muted browns define the textured slopes.

Mt. Daochang

c. 1588

Song Xu

(Chinese, 1525-c. 1606)
China, Jiaxing, Ming dynasty (1368–1644)

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