Reminiscences of Qinhuai River

1642–1707

Shitao

Shitao (Chinese, 1642–1707)

Chinese Art

Reminiscences of Qinhuai River, 1642–1707. Shitao (Chinese, 1642–1707). Album leaf, ink and color on Song paper; image: 25.5 x 20.2 cm (10 1/16 x 7 15/16 in.); overall: 33 x 24.3 cm (13 x 9 9/16 in.). The Cleveland Museum of Art, John L. Severance Fund 1966.31.8 The figure in the boat scans the cliff seeking a glimpse of a final plum blossom of the season.

Original Source

Maker/Artist: Shitao
Classification: Painting
Formatted Medium: album leaf, ink and color on Song paper
Medium: album, leaf, ink, color, song, paper
Dimensions: Image: 25.5 x 20.2 cm (10 1/16 x 7 15/16 in.); Overall: 33 x 24.3 cm (13 x 9 9/16 in.)
Inscribed: Inscription: 沿溪四十九迴折，搜盡秦淮六代奇。/ 雪霽東山誰着屐，風高西壑自成詩。/ 應憐孤冷長無伴，其剩槎牙只幾枝。/ 滿地落花春未了，酸心如豆耐人思。/ 仲賓先生以宋紙十幅寄余真州命畫。因憶昔時秦淮探梅聚首之地，寫此就教。清湘石濤濟道人。[印]原濟; 石濤. Translation: Artist's inscription, signature, and 2 seals on Leaf 8 (previously leaf H), 1966.31.8: Along the stream there were forty-nine bends./ Where we searched out the Qinhuai’s wonders over six dynasties./ As snow clearing in the Eastern Hill, who came wearing wooden clogs?/ As wind blowing high in the Western Ravine, who allowed the poem to complete itself?/ Let us take pity on the cold solitary [plum], devoid of any companions./ With only a few branches remaining [as viewed from the boat]./ The falling flowers fill the ground while Spring is yet to end./ A soured heart, tight as a bean, can endure lasting thoughts. / Master Zhongbin sent me ten pieces of Song paper while I was in Zhenzhou [Yizheng 儀徵, a city southwest of Yangzhou] and requested paintings from me. I recalled those places in Qinhuai where we got together in search of blossoming plums. I painted these [leaves] to seek his advice. [Signed] Shitao Ji Daoren of Qingxiang. [seals] Yuanji; Shitao.
Departments: Chinese Art
Accession Number: 1966.31.8
Credit Line: John L. Severance Fund
Exhibitions: The Painting of Tao-Chi, 1641-Ca. 1720. University of Michigan Museum of Art, Ann Arbor, MI (August 13-September 17, 1967)., Eight Dynasties of Chinese Painting. The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art (November 7, 1980-January 4, 1981); The Cleveland Museum of Art (February 10-March 29, 1981); Tokyo National Museum (October 4-November 17, 1982)., Main Asian Rotation (Gallery 122). The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (July 23-October 27, 2003).
Rights Statement: CC0