WANG HUI / 王翬(1632-1717)
The Taihang mountains / 太行山 (2,882 m -9,455 f)
China
In The colors of Mount Taihang, 1669, handscroll ; ink and color on silk, (29.8 x 883.9 cm),
The mountains
The Taihang mountains /太行山 are a Chinese mountain range running down the eastern edge of the Loess Plateau in Shanxi, Henan and Hebei provinces. The range extends over 400 kilometres (250 mi) from north to south and has an average elevation of 1,500 to 2,000 metres (4,900 to 6,600 feet). The principal peak is Xiao Wutaishan (2,882 metres (9,455 feet)). The Taihang's eastern peak is Cangyan Shan in Hebei; Baishi Mountain forms its northern tip. The name of Shanxi Province, meaning west of the mountains" derives from its location west of the Taihang Mountains, as does the name of Shandong Province (east of the mountains).
The artist
Wang Hui, like his teachers, believed that the study of old masters was the correct path to innovation. But, whereas Dong Qichang and Wang Shimin championed the impressionistic, abstract brushwork of Yuan dynasty (1271–1368) painters and their southern forebears, Wang Hui increasingly became interested in northern painters who used detailed, descriptive brushwork. This important handscroll, made in response to a work by Guan Tong (fl. ca. 907–923), signals the beginning of Wang’s intensive exploration of northern painting that would last the rest of his career. Wang believed that reconciling his teachers’ interests and his own would lead to a “great synthesis” in painting.
From The Met notice
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2020 - Wandering Vertexes...
by Francis Rousseau
