The Hermitage
Artist
Chang Dai-chien
(Zhang Daqian; Chinese, 1899 - 1983)
Date1930
MaterialsInk and colors on paper
DimensionsH. 51 1/2 in x W. 25 3/16 in, H. 130.8 cm x W. 64 cm (image); H. 95 in x W. 30 1/2 in, H. 241.3 cm x W. 77.5 cm (overall
Credit LineThe Avery Brundage Collection
Object numberB60D78
DepartmentChinese Art
ClassificationsPainting
On View
Not on viewSigned“張爰印”（白文方印）、“大千居士”（朱文方印）。
Zhang Yuan yin (square intaglio), Daqian jushi (square relief).
Inscribed“寇公有佳句， 瀟灑得幽情。野水無人渡，孤舟盡日橫。疲氓勞撫字, 嘉政迷鰥焭。雙柏堪圖畫，餘因寄頌聲。庚午秋日蜀中張爰。”
Prime minister Kou’s [Kou Zhun, 908-1022] beautiful poetic writings are unconventional and yet elegant. (In his time) no one crossed the deserted river, and the solitary boat remained crosswise all day long. He took care of his exhausted people as if they were his own children. Even the orphans benefited from his virtuous rule. The two cypresses are so beautiful and worthy to paint, and I thus send these laudatory words. Zhang Yuan of the Shu signed on an autumn day of the gengwu year (1930).
More InformationThis is an early work by Chang Dai-chien, who adopts lines from a poem by a famous historical figure, Prime Minister Kou Zhun (961–1023) of the Song dynasty, to illustrate the simple scenery of the peaceful world desired by scholar officials. Not only do the shortened point of view and elegant brushwork convey Chang’s taste in traditional literati art, the poem and anecdote he inscribed also indicate his rich knowledge of classical literature.
Subject
- hermit
- landscape
