The Cloudy Stream

明代傳沈碩繪椎溪圖卷絹本痓綎

Shen Shuo was a member of a late generation of Suzhou painters and had a reputation as an expert copier of Song (960–1279) and Yuan (1279–1368) dynasty paintings. This original landscape shows his facility for ancient styles—for example, in the way he has applied texture to the low, rolling hills.

In addition to the painted image are nine writings added after the painting was completed. Eight of these, by his contemporaries in Suzhou, praise the simple reclusive life of a hermit called Yunxi ("Cloud Stream"). Shen himself named the painting for Yunxi, who may also be the gentleman portrayed in the painting; he is seated on the riverbank and gazing out at the misty landscape that inspired his name and symbolized his unfettered life. The ninth writing is by a later collector.