The Wangchuan Villa 網川圖
Jin dynasty (1115–1234), early 13th century
Medium
Handscroll; ink on silk
Dimensions
26.3 × 554 cm (216 × 10 1/4 in.)
Classification
handscroll
Department
Arts of Asia
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
96627
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
This painting depicts the private estate of Wang Wei (c. 699–761), a government statesman renowned as a poet, painter, calligrapher, and musician. Wang periodically retired to this countryside villa, which he described in a painting and in a poem of 20 quatrains. Although Wang’s original pictorial composition is not preserved, this early reinterpretation depicts the scenic spots vividly described in his poetry.
About the Artist
Unknown
The artist designated as "Unknown" in our virtual museum's collection exemplifies a poignant chapter in art history: creators whose identities have faded into obscurity despite the enduring power of their work. With only one known artwork attributed to them in our holdings, this figure represents countless anonymous hands that shaped visual culture across centuries. Museums worldwide, including th...