QIU; YING (attributed)
China; ~1494 - 1552
Scholars in a Green Mountain Landscape

Ming Dynasty. 16th century. Black ink and colours on silk. Hanging scroll; 116 x 40 cm.
A mountain landscape that stretches in layers from the lower picture margin in the foreground to the background where it is encased by mist. On the shores of a crossing river there are trees and figures. The main scene takes place in the centre of the picture where several houses are depicted. In one of those houses a scholar sits surrounded by students; in another a figure conducts its activities; out in the open two further scholars are talking and one scholar approaches the scene from the left with two assistants. Sign.: Shifu Qiu Ying. Seal: 1) Seal of Qiu Ying: Shizhou. 2) Seal of Qiu Ying: Qiu Ying zhi yin. 3) Collector's seal of Xiang Yuanbian: Xiang Yuanbian yin. Condition A/B. Restaurations in the upper part of the picture.

The technically flawless execution of the gree-blue-painting; following the old masters of the Tand Dynasty and the time of the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms; unites in this picture with a skilful composition. This leads the observer; beginning at the bottom; over the river to the centre of action. Moreover Qui Ying gives the impression of width through the layered mountains and the depiction of mist and thus contributres to the natural atmosphere of this spacious landscape.

Provenance:
-Private collection Southern Germany

Exhibition:
-Typ. cp. "Four Great Masters of the Ming Dynasty. Qiu Ying" (October 4 - December 29; 2014); National Palace Museum in Taipei.

Literature:
-Barnhart; Richard M.: The Jade Studio - Masterpieces of Ming and Qing Painting from the
Wong Nan-p'ing Collection. New Haven; 1994. p. 58; ill. 12 and p. 93; cat.no. 12:
"Encountering a Monk in a Bamboo Grove."
-Fong; Wen C.: Possessing the Past - Treasure from the National Palace Museum; Taipei. New
York; 1996. p. 400-401; ill. 203: "Spring Morning in the Han Palace"; ca. 1540 and p. 402; ill. 204: "Pavilions in the Mountains of the Immortals"; dat. 1550.
Art trade; Van Ham.