Copy of Landscapes by Dong Qichang

Maker(s)
Artist: Bada Shanren 八大山人 (朱耷) (1626-1705)
Historical period(s)
Qing dynasty, ca. 1697
Medium
Ink on paper
Dimensions
H x W (image): 31.2 x 24.7 cm (12 5/16 x 9 3/4 in)
Geography
China
Credit Line
Bequest from the collection of Wang Fangyu and Sum Wai, donated in their memory by Mr. Shao F. Wang
Collection
Freer Gallery of Art
Accession Number
F1998.55.5
On View Location
Currently not on view
Classification(s)
Album, Painting
Type

Album leaf

Keywords
China, copy, landscape, Qing dynasty (1644 - 1911), Shao F. Wang collection
Provenance

To 1997
Wang Fangyu (1913-1997) and Sum Wai (1918-1996), to 1997 [1]

To 1998
Shao F. Wang, New York and Short Hills, NJ, by descent, to 1998 [2]

From 1998
Freer Gallery of Art, gift of Shao F. Wang in 1998

Notes:

[1] According to Curatorial Note 3, Joseph Chang and Stephen D. Allee, May 7, 1998, and Joseph Chang and Stephen D. Allee, August 18, 1998, in the object record.

[2] See note 1.

Previous Owner(s) and Custodian(s)

Shao F. Wang
Wang Fangyu 1913-1997
Sum Wai 1918-1996

Label

Purporting to be Bada Shanren's exact copy of a now-lost album by his greatest artistic inspiration and influence, the late-Ming-dynasty master Dong Qichang (1555-1636), this set of six paintings (F1998.55.1 thru F1998.55.6) occupies a unique place in the artist's overall oeuvre. The paintings simultaneously verify Bada's own allegiance to certain ancient masters from the Song and Yuan dynasties (10th-14th century)--such as Dong Yuan (died 962; F1998.55.1 and F1998.55.5), Zhao Mengfu (1254-1322; leaves F1998.55.2 and F1998.55.3), Huang Gongwang (1269-1354; F1998.55.4), and Ni Zan (1306-374; F1998.55.6)--and clearly evince his personal identification with the lineage of Southern School masters previously defined in the writings of Dong Qichang.

In creating this work, Bada not only followed the style and compositions of Dong's album, but he even faithfully copied Dong's original inscription on each leaf, including his signature. Bada's identity as the actual artist is indicated only by a single small seal on each painting. This album is Bada Shanren's ultimate homage to Dong Qichang and exemplifies his personal pursuit of antiquity in the great tradition of Chinese landscape painting.

Published References
  • Yuan Li. "近距离阅读大师." Exploring the Enigmas of Bada Shanren – Freer’s Special Exhibition Review., 284. Shanghai, May 2016. p. 3.
  • Thomas Lawton, Thomas W. Lentz. Beyond the Legacy: Anniversary Acquisitions for the Freer Gallery of Art and the Arthur M. Sackler Gallery. vol. 1 Washington, 1998. pp. 244-251, 262.
Collection Area(s)
Chinese Art
Web Resources
Google Cultural Institute
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