Landscape in the Manner of Huang Gongwang

Xiao Yuncong was born into an aristocratic family from Wuhu in Anhui province. After the Manchu conquest of China in 1644, he abandoned all hope of an official career and retired to a hermit's existence of scholarship, poetry, and painting. He was a major figure in the development of the Anhui school of painting. Stylistic elements of the Anhui school of painting are evident in landscapes from Xiao Yuncong's mature period. His works also reveal the influence of the Orthodox school in the numerous art-historical allusions to the style of the Yuan master Huang Gongwang (1269-1354). By combining these different elements of Orthodox- and Anhui-school painting, Xiao was able to imprint his own distinctive identity onto this scroll. Such individualism is typical of Xiao's oeuvre. Xiao Yuncong's poem at the end of this scroll is not a straightforward description of the painted scenery, but its imagery resonates with the landscape preceding it and enhances the viewer's appreciation of the picture: From a verdant valley I gazed upon the southern mountains, Shimmering azure-green before my eyes. Seized by inspiration I visited Deer Gate, Nestled in seclusion, up through Drake Gorge. My lofty tracks could not be followed, Only white clouds accompanied me, broken intermittently. I felt as if I were at the end of the world, Autumn colors infused the scenery, like the veins in a piece of jade. A falling tree echoed among the empty crags, A pure breeze carried the sounds of a jade waterfall. Mists swirled about, rustling beneath the pines, Where I gathered an armful of mountain chrysanthemums. Walking with my staff I headed west across a bridge, Among the jade-white blossoms growing on foothills beneath the peaks. Immortals delight in such lofty abodes, Basking in the moonlight, they enjoy their seclusion. River water rages to green at Heaven's Gate, Stone lotuses grow in princely households. Where once upon a time they summoned painting masters, And drank with them fresh spring wine. (Translated Charles Mason)