Whiling Away the Summer in the Shade of Pines 《松陰消夏圖》

This media is in the public domain (free of copyright restrictions). You can copy, modify, and distribute this work without contacting the Smithsonian. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Open Access page.

IIIF provides researchers rich metadata and media viewing options for comparison of works across cultural heritage collections. Visit the IIIF page to learn more.

View manifest View in Mirador Viewer

Object Details

Artist

Zhe School 浙派

Formerly attributed to Ma Yuan 馬遠 (active late 12th-early 13th century)

Description

This large hanging scroll features a tall peak in the upper right corner towering over a rocky ridge with pines and pavillions below. An official (based upon clothing and headgear) stands on a terrace gazing at the view. The significant landscape elements are weighted diagonally in the lower right corner of the composition. The depiction of an official in a summer retreat surrounded by the beauty of nature and grand architecture is an idealized vision that would appeal to Ming academy painters.

Anonymous, possible Zhe School, Ming Dynasty, "Spending the Summer amid Pines", circa 15th century. Ink and light color on silk, attributed to Ma yuan of the Song Dynasty, mounted on panel and framed, (possibly cut down, minor stains.)

Inscriptions

1. (Joseph Chang, 19 September 2002) Label mounted next to the painting: Song Ma Yuan Songyin xiaoxia tu zhenji (Spending the Summer Amid Pines, an authentic work by Ma Yuan of the Song.) The label is of 19th or 20th century origin and can almost be disregarded.

Provenance

To 1970

Eugene (1875-1959) and Agnes E. (1887-1970) Meyer, New York, Washington, DC, and Mt. Kisco, NY

From 1970 to 2001

Katharine Graham (1917-2001), Washington, DC, by descent from her mother, Agnes E. Meyer

From 2002

Freer Gallery of Art, bequeathed by Katharine Graham in 2002 [1]

Notes:

[1] See Katharine Graham’s Last Will and Testament, dated January 12, 2000, copy in object file.

Collection

Freer Gallery of Art Collection

Exhibition History

Looking Out, Looking In: Art in Late Imperial China (October 14, 2017 - ongoing)

Seasons: Chinese Landscapes (December 18, 2010 to June 12, 2011)

Previous custodian or owner

Eugene and Agnes E. Meyer

Katharine Meyer Graham (1917-2001)

Credit Line

Bequest of Mrs. Katharine Graham

Date

15th century

Period

Ming dynasty

Accession Number

F2002.3

Restrictions & Rights

CC0

Type

Painting

Medium

Ink and color on silk

Dimensions

H x W (image): 178.7 x 95.9 cm (70 3/8 x 37 3/4 in)

Origin

China

Related Online Resources

Google Arts & Culture

See more items in

National Museum of Asian Art

Data Source

National Museum of Asian Art

Topic

landscape

pine tree

summer

Ming dynasty (1368 - 1644)

mountain

temple