Landscape

This painting depicts a scholar sitting in his bamboo-shrouded studio deep in the mountains. A classical subject for the educated elite, this scene expresses the desire—frequently felt during perilous times—to escape the challenges of day-to-day existence.

According to the 1948 colophon for this painting, which was written for Ye Gongchao by Mao Guangsheng (b. 1873?) and which appears on the mounting, this piece was an acquisition of Ye Yanlan during his service in the Ministry of Registration in the Qing capital, Beijing. Mao goes on to theorize about the identity of Xie Lansheng. He closes:
Honorable Mr. Gongchao showed me this piece and required my inscription, the second
month of the year wuzi [1948], written by Mao Guangsheng at age 76, Jiuweng in my studio.