The Red Cliff - Atributed to Yang Shixian (Introduction)
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| The Red Cliff
Artist: Atributed to Yang Shixian (About 1120-1160), Colophons by: Wu Kuan (1435-1504), Wen Jia (1501-1583), Peng Shaosheng (1740-1896) and others Date: Yuan dynasty or later, about 14th century Materials: Ink and light color on silk Dimensions: 30.9 x 128.8 cm Museum of Fine Arts, BostonKeith McLeod Fund Museum scroll information: The Red Cliff |
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| Introduction This handscroll is believed to be based on Su Shi’s 蘇軾 (1037-1101) prose poems on the Red Cliffs (赤壁賦). These prose poems were written during his first exile from the royal court of the Song court (960-1279) in which he was inspired by the pivotal naval battle that was said to have taken place at the Red Cliffs in the year 208. Though the actual location of the Red Cliffs was unknown, the theme of the Red Cliffs was a popular motif for both writers and painters. In this painting, Su Shi and his friends occupy a boat with two large wine jars as they approach the Red Cliffs from the right on a colorful autumn day. The work apears to be indebted to a handscroll in the National Palace Museum, Taipei, that is attributed to Li Tang (ca. 1050-after 1130). On the cliffs on the right side of the painting it is inscribed, By the brush of Yang (remainder illegible). | ||||