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Accession Number 2004.19.72.4 Title Album Leaf from Figures in River Landscapes Category albums Object Type album leaf Artist Wang Gai Date Made 1702 Place Made China Culture Chinese Period Qing 18th century Materials ink and colour on paper Description

This is the fourth leaf from the Figures in River Landscape album by Wang Gai (1677-1705), which is painted with ink and colour on paper. Each leaf contains a landscape, which was painted in situ by Wang Gai.…

This is the fourth leaf from the Figures in River Landscape album by Wang Gai (1677-1705), which is painted with ink and colour on paper. Each leaf contains a landscape, which was painted in situ by Wang Gai. Repeating themes throughout the album include figures immersed in the natural environment, which reflects the literati’s yearning and nostalgia.

In this scene, a fisherman sits on a boat watching a flock of birds fly towards the horizon. He appears relaxed, with a fishing line hanging off the side of the boat. The three clusters of river bamboo on the side of the boat are painted with different tones of black ink to indicate depth. The fading of the distant bamboo into the background is a technique found throughout this album.

Read More + Credit Line Gift of Sandy and Cécile Mactaggart