Mountain Landscape in Moonlight
Unknown Artist
1200s
Medium
hanging scroll; ink on silk
Dimensions
139.6 × 41.4 cm · image: 54.3 × 36 cm
Classification
Painting
Department
Chinese Art
Museum
Cleveland Museum of Art
Credit
Mr. and Mrs. William H. Marlatt Fund
Accession Number
1987.37
About this artwork
Painted in modulated monochrome ink washes with dark dots for foliate accents, the anonymous artist successfully suggests the dense atmosphere of a warm summer night. Under a full moon a scholar rides a mule, accompanied by a servant who carries his belongings. The poem inscribed by Chan (Zen) priest Yunfeng Miaogao identifies the figure as the Tang dynasty poet Du Fu 杜甫 (712–770). Who rides Du [Fu]'s mule: Through the universe his name resounds. Chanting poems as he rides off on his mule, How q...