明 丁雲鵬 潯陽送客圖 軸|Song of the Lute

Art Historical Context

Created in 1585 during China’s late Ming dynasty, Ding Yunpeng’s “Song of the Lute” (also titled “Sending Off a Guest at Xunyang”) captures a poignant literary moment on a tall, narrow hanging scroll. Ding, active in the culturally vibrant city of Huizhou, was celebrated for his refined brushwork and ability to blend figure painting with atmospheric landscapes. Here, delicate ink washes and subtle colors bring together mist-shrouded mountains, graceful trees, and small boats, inviting viewers to imagine the farewell scene from Bai Juyi’s famous Tang-dynasty poem. Painted on paper—a support prized in Ming China for its responsiveness to both bold strokes and fine detail—the scroll format allowed the composition to unfold gradually as it was unrolled. The restrained palette and layered ink tones evoke the quiet melancholy of departure while demonstrating the artist’s mastery of traditional literati techniques. Acquired by the Metropolitan Museum in 1913, the work remains a vivid example of how Ming painters turned classical poetry into visual experience, offering modern audiences a window into centuries-old themes of friendship, travel, and the consoling power of music.

About the Artist

Ding Yunpeng · 1547–1635

Chinese, 1547–ca. 1628