Landscape in the Manner of Shi Tao

Unlike the dense, elaborate landscape by Kuncan (see his work to your left), this spontaneous, sketch-like painting is in the style of the Qing individualist Shitao, another eccentric monk artist who is known for his random dots and playful lines that bring life to his composition. In this copied work, Xie Zhiliu applied skillful brushwork to replicate the manner in which Shitao freely executed his brush, capturing the lofty spirit of this reclusive master. The harmonious blend of ink washes also imbues this painting with a poetic sentiment that later painters wanted to imitate.

One of the most respected Chinese artists and connoisseurs, Xie started to paint at the age of nine by studying the styles of old masters from his family collection in Changzhou, Jiangsu. He first imitated the style of Chen Hongshou (1598–1652) and later learned from Song and Yuan masters with a focus on landscape and bird-and-flower paintings. He also traveled to Dunhuang and studied grotto murals along with Chang Dai-chien in 1942. His early works are characterized by fine, meticulous brushwork, while a preference for a loose, more natural handling of brush and ink arose in his later years.