清 王槩 設計，李漁出版 芥子園畫傳 版本|Snowy Peaks Touching the Heavens, in the manner of Snow-covered Inn by Jing Hao (active ca. 870–ca. 930), from the Mustard Seed Garden Manual of Painting

About this artwork

This woodblock print; ink and color on paper by Wang Gai|Jing Hao from First edition, 1679 represents the artistic and cultural achievements of its period. Printmaking during this era served multiple functions, providing affordable art for collectors, documenting contemporary life, and demonstrating technical virtuosity. The medium allowed wide distribution, making visual culture accessible beyond elite patronage. The China, Qing dynasty (1644–1911) context provides important background for unde...

Art Historical Context

This exquisite woodblock print, *Snowy Peaks Touching Heavens*, appears in the first edition (1679) of the *Mustard Seed Garden Manual Painting* (*Jieziyuan Huazhuan*), a landmark Qing dynasty publication designed by Wang Gai and published Li Yu. Rendered in ink and color on paper, emulates the monumental landscape style of Jing Hao (active ca. 870ca. 930), a Tang-era master famed for evoking nature's sublime power. Here, jagged snowy peaks pierce the heavens, capturing the austere beauty of winter in a compact 9⅝ × 11⅞ inches (24.4 × 30 cm) format. The *Mustard Seed Garden Manual* revolution...

About the Artist

Wang Gai|Jing Hao · 1645–1710

Wang Gai (王概, 1645–1710), a prominent Qing dynasty painter from Xiushui in Zhejiang province, established himself in the vibrant cultural hub of Nanjing, where he flourished from around 1677 to 1705. Born into a scholarly family—his father-in-law was the renowned writer Li Yu (1611–1680)—Gai trained under the master Gong Xian (1619–1689), one of the Eight Masters of Jinling, adopting his robust la...