Secluded Life in a Pine Valley, Wu Jingting

Artwork Overview

Wu Jingting, Secluded Life in a Pine Valley
1940, Republic of China (1911–1949)
1904–1972
Secluded Life in a Pine Valley, 1940, Republic of China (1911–1949)
Where object was made: China
Material/technique: ink; color; paper
Dimensions:
Mount Dimensions (Height x Width x Depth): 197.4 x 51.5 cm
Image Dimensions Height/Width (Height x Width): 101.4 x 38.2 cm
Credit line: Gift of Stan and Patsy Wisdom
Accession number: 1991.0157
Not on display

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Images

Label texts

Eternal Spring: Pines
The inscription in the top left corner of this painting indicates it was created for the birthday of Mr. Zhongyan, who is seated in the hut with a friend while another friend carrying a lute comes to join them. The prominent pine trees in this scene are fitting for the occasion because they symbolize longevity. The roughly constructed hut symbolizes a secluded and simple life, which has long been regarded as an ideal way of life by Chinese scholars.
Archive Label 2003: As the inscription on the top left corner tells us, this paintings was done for the birthday of the artist's friend Mr. Zhongyan, who is seated in the hut with a friend while another friend carrying a lute is coming to join them. The prominent subject matter of the painting, the pine trees, is a traditional symbol of longevity, as befits the occasion. The lonely and roughly constructed hut is a symbol of secluded and simple life, which has long been regarded as an ideal way of life by Chinese scholars. Wu Jingting was a professional painter active in Beijing. His style follows that of the Yuan masters. Archive Label date unknown (before 1991): Inscription: "Painted in the seventh month of 1940 for Chung Yen's birthday with wishes for his corrections" Born in Peking, Wu became an active member of the Society for the Study of Chinese Painting. Although he received instruction from Chin Ch'eng, he also studied the works of past masters. The two scholars shown conversing in a hut here were perhaps intended to represent the artist and his friend Chung Yen, enjoying each other's company and the peacefulness of nature. Their hut is partially enclosed by the trunks of twisting old pine trees, symbols of endurance and longevity the branches of which thrust upwards through the mist as though reaching for the distant mountains.

Exhibitions