Painting in National Palace Museum, Yuan dynasty part1

Welcome to the National Palace Museum's collection of paintings from the Yuan dynasty! This collection features some of the most renowned Chinese painters from this period, such as Wu Zhen, Wang Yuan, Gao Kegong, Chen Lin, Zhao Yong and Zhao Mengfu. You will find a variety of different styles of painting here, including Manual of Ink Bamboo, Meeting Friends in a Pavilion among Pines, Cloud-girdled Peaks, Pair of Lohan Paintings, Riverside Pavilion and Mountain Hues, Inscribing a Portrait of Ni Zan, Wild Duck by a River, Nymph of the Luo River, Five Horses and Autumn Colors on the Qiao and Hua Mountains. These incredible works of art provide us with a unique insight into the culture and history of China during this time period. Come explore these amazing artifacts today!

1. Manual of Ink Bamboo

Wu Zhen, a Chinese painter from Jiaxing, was one of the Four Great Masters of the Yuan dynasty. In 1350, at the age of 71, he completed an album of bamboo paintings for his son, Fonu.

2. Meeting Friends in a Pavilion among Pines

Wang Yuan was born in Qiantang, Zhejiang, and started painting when he was a child. He was taught by the master painter Zhao Mengfu. In bird-and-flower painting, Wang followed the tenth-century tradition of Huang Quan.

3. Cloud-girdled Peaks

Gao Kegong was a minister in the Yuan dynasty. He had the opportunity to travel to and appreciate the scenic wonders of the south. This painting reflects the archaistic movement in early Yuan dynasty art.

4. Pair of Lohan Paintings

There are eighteen lohans in the painting, which is a traditional number. Some of the lohans are Indian and some are Chinese. They are holding different objects, like a scroll, flywhisk, prayer beads, lotus, and incense burner.

5. Riverside Pavilion and Mountain Hues

This painting from the year 1372 is a typical example of the "Three Perfections" of painting, poetry, and calligraphy in a single work. It is inscribed with poetry that Ni Zan wrote himself, and was done for his friend Huanbo.

6. Inscribing a Portrait of Ni Zan

This painting is a portrait of Ni Zan, one of the Four Yuan Masters of painting. It is done in imitation of Ni's style. The pose of the figure is borrowed from Vimalakirti in Buddhist painting, transforming Ni Zan into a refined and lofty recluse.

7. Wild Duck by a River

Chen Lin was a close associate of Zhao Mengfu and, like him, a famous painter from the late Song into the Yuan dynasty. This small hanging scroll depicts a mallard standing on a riverbank below some hibiscus.

8. Nymph of the Luo River

This painting of the goddess of the Luo River is done in "baimiao" fine ink lines. It shows the goddess riding on clouds and gliding over the misty waters of the river. The painting is rare and especially precious.

9. Five Horses

Zhao Yong was the second son of the famous scholar-artist Zhao Mengfu. Zhao Yong was especially gifted at depicting figures and saddled horses. This painting, dated to the equivalent of 1352, depicts horses at leisure and a groom dozing against a pine to highlight the relaxed atmosphere.

10. Autumn Colors on the Qiao and Hua Mountains