王翬、楊晉、顧昉、王雲、徐玫 仿古山水圖 冊 紙本|Landscapes after old masters

Art Historical Context

This exquisite album, *Landscapes after Old Masters*, created in 1692 during China's Qing dynasty (16441911), showcases the collaborative talents of five prominent artists Wang Hui, Yang Jin Gu Fang, Xu Mei, and Wang Yun.prising sixteen leaves of ink and color on paper—each measuring about 11 x 12 inches—this intimate format was a cherished tradition in Chinese painting. Album leaves allowed collectors to savor multiple scenes privately, flipping through misty mountains and winding rivers like pages in a treasured book. Wang Hui, the lead artist and a master of the "Orthodox School," spearheaded this project by imitating revered ancient masters, a practice central to literati painting. By faithfully recreating iconic landscape motifs—towering peaks, serene waters, and scholarly pavilions—the artists preserved and honored centuries-old styles from the Song, Yuan, and Ming dynasties. This homage reflected Qing-era reverence for classical traditions amid political and cultural shifts following the Manchu conquest. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Asian Art Department, this gift from Marie-Hélène and Guy A. Weill highlights the era's emphasis on technical virtuosity and poetic harmony with nature. Visitors will delight in the delicate ink washes and vibrant colors evoking timeless journeys through China's imagined realms.

About the Artist

Wang Hui|Yang Jin|Gu Fang|Xu Mei|Wang Yun · 1632–1717

Chinese, 1632–1717