明 宋懋晉 樓居圖 扇|Dwelling in Landscape

Art Historical Context

This exquisite folding fan, mounted as an album leaf and titled *Dwelling in Landscape*樓居圖), dates to the 17th century during China's Ming dynasty (1368–1644). Attributed to Song Maojin possibly an unidentified artist—it measures 6¼ x 18¼ inches and is rendered in ink and color on luxurious gold paper. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Art Department, it exemplifies the refined portable art form popular among China's literati class. The composition captures a serene landscape scene, featuring dwellings nestled amid trees, evoking the timeless Chinese ideal of harmonious living within nature. Ming landscape paintings like this often drew from Daoist and Confucian philosophies, celebrating the beauty of the natural world and the scholar's retreat from worldly affairs. The fan's intimate scale made it a cherished personal item, carried in sleeves or exchanged as gifts among elites. Painted on shimmering gold paper, the work highlights masterful ink techniques for texture and depth, with subtle colors enhancing the golden ground for a radiant effect. Acquired through the John Stewart Kennedy Fund in 1913, it reflects late Ming artistry's elegance amid dynastic transition, offering visitors a glimpse into the poetic sophistication of imperial China's cultural life.

About the Artist

Song Maojin|Unidentified artist (Chinese| ) · 1571 | –1635 |

Chinese, active late 16th century–early 17th century|