Minneapolis Institute of Art

Brush decorated with travelers among the wild mountains

China

Date

late 19th century

Medium

Wood, bone, horse hair

Department

Asian Art

Institution

Minneapolis Institute of Art

This finely carved brush is organized into three narrative zones that unfold around its surface. In the middle section, travelers ride on horseback through rugged mountain paths, evoking journey, movement, and encounter. Above them, a dragon and a tiger emerge from swirling clouds and peaks, embodying cosmic forces and the dynamic balance of nature. Below, a tranquil gathering of scholars appears amid rocks and bamboos, suggesting cultured retreat and intellectual exchange. By juxtaposing mounted travel, mythical beasts, and scholarly leisure, the brush unites mobility, power, and refinement within a single miniature landscape carved onto a functional object. China, Asia

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