Album of Landscapes - 12 leaves, Zhang Ruocheng

Exhibition Label:
"Using the Past to Serve the Present in 20th Century Chinese Painting," Oct-2006, Ai-lian Liu, Asian Art Intern
Stanley Wilson purchased this album, the highlight of the Dains collection, in Beijing in 1938. In a letter to Dains of the same year, he described this “small Chinese book or folder” as “at least a hundred years of age or perhaps much older.” And indeed it was. The artist, Zhang Ruocheng, held a high official position in the Qing-dynasty court in the 18th century. As a scholar-official with artistic talent, he was close to the art-loving Qianlong emperor (reign 1736-1795) and associated with court painters. His inscription on the last leaf of the album reads “Respectfully painted by the official Zhang Ruocheng,” indicating that it was done for the court.

The album perfectly integrates scholarly taste with the technical skill of a professional painter. It displays the artist’s mastery of the old styles and ability to reinterpret these traditions. Some leaves are generic seasonal scenes; others speak to the life of the retired gentleman, a favorite subject of scholarly artists. The orthodox painting style drawn from ancient traditions is characteristic of Qing court painting. The artist’s skill is evident in the solid, descriptive and highly disciplined brushwork.

Archive Label 2003:
Stanley Wilson purchased this album, the highlight of the Dains collection, in Beijing in 1938. In a letter to Dains of the same year, he described this "small Chinese book or folder" as "at least a hundred years of age or perhaps much older." And indeed it was. The artist, Zhang Ruocheng, held a high official position in the Qing dynasty court in the 18th century. As a scholar-official with artistic talent, he was close to the art-loving Qianlong emperor (r. 1736-1795) and associated with court painters. His inscription on the last leaf of the album reads "Respectively painted by the official Zhang Ruocheng," indicating that it was done for the court.

The album perfectly integrates scholarly taste with the technical skill of a professional painter. Some leaves are generic seasonal scenes; others speak to the life of the retired gentleman, a favorite subject of scholar artists. The orthodox painting style, drawn from ancient traditions, is characteristic of much Qing court painting. The artist's technical skill is evident in the solid, descriptive, highly disciplined brushwork.