Cleveland Museum of Art

Mt. Daochang

Song Xu

Date

c. 1588

Medium

Album leaf; ink and color on silk

Culture

China, Jiaxing, Ming dynasty (1368–1644)

Department

Chinese Art

Institution

Cleveland Museum of Art

This album of landscape paintings depicts the famous scenic areas located in and around the city of Wuxing in southeastern China. These places were all known for their natural beauty, but in addition, a number were distinguished by their links to eminent historical figures and events. The artist, Song Xu, was not a native of Wuxing, but must have visited it when he accepted the commission, for he carefully depicted all eighteen views and wrote comments on each of them. Song's gazetteerlike notation on this leaf reads: Mount Daochang: From the prefectural city toward the south, about 5 to 6 li, there is the spiritual abode of Chan Master Fuhu [master who tamed tigers, or Zhifeng 志逢, 909–985]. On top [of the hill] are the Fuhu and Wanghu Pavilions. Looking farther south, one can see the mountains of Hangzhou. Looking toward the north, one can see all the way to Lake Tai and its hilly islands. Looking down, the city walls below with its towers and terraces are as splendid as in a painting.

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