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Visiting a friend in the mountains

Painting
1550-1600 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This large scale hanging scroll was probably painted in the second half of the 16th century or the first half of the 17th century at the end of the Ming dynasty (1368-1644). It depicts a gentleman accompanied by his servant approaching a cottage in the mountains to pay a visit to a friend. The work is spuriously signed at the bottom right hand corner by Li Zhaodao (active during the Tang dynasty, about AD 670-730) and bears suprious seals and inscriptions of some important connoisseurs, like Ke Jusi (1290-1343) and Wen Zhengming (1470-1559).

The painting is clearly a product of the Ming dynasty and the artist did not make any attempts to imitate a Tang dynasty style. Ming collectors were likely to pay more attention to the authenticating inscriptions and seals on the painting rather than its style, and the forger probably took more care in imitating them than a real Tang work.


Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleVisiting a friend in the mountains (generic title)
Materials and techniques
Ink and colours on paper
Brief description
Painting, ink and colours on paper, China, Ming dynasty, ca. 1550-1600
Dimensions
  • Height: 177.8cm (Note: n/a)
  • Width: 98.5cm
  • Including frame height: 205.2cm
  • Including frame width: 113.5cm
  • Including frame depth: 5.4cm
n/a
Content description
landscape
Style
Production typeUnique
Credit line
Bequeathed by Herbert John Sharples
Object history
Bequeathed by Herbert John Sharples
Production
n/a
Subject depicted
Summary
This large scale hanging scroll was probably painted in the second half of the 16th century or the first half of the 17th century at the end of the Ming dynasty (1368-1644). It depicts a gentleman accompanied by his servant approaching a cottage in the mountains to pay a visit to a friend. The work is spuriously signed at the bottom right hand corner by Li Zhaodao (active during the Tang dynasty, about AD 670-730) and bears suprious seals and inscriptions of some important connoisseurs, like Ke Jusi (1290-1343) and Wen Zhengming (1470-1559).

The painting is clearly a product of the Ming dynasty and the artist did not make any attempts to imitate a Tang dynasty style. Ming collectors were likely to pay more attention to the authenticating inscriptions and seals on the painting rather than its style, and the forger probably took more care in imitating them than a real Tang work.
Collection
Accession number
E.422-1953

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Record createdFebruary 29, 2004
Record URL
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