The Summer Mountains

Ever dreamt of escaping to a tranquil riverside retreat?

Dong Yuan’s Summer Mountains captures that serene longing perfectly. His paintings, inspired by the Yangtze River Delta, showcase misty fishing villages, sandbanks, and grazing water buffaloes. Through loose ink dots and layered washes, Dong Yuan creates a lush, peaceful landscape ideal for weary officials seeking respite. This Jiangnan style, with its emphasis on gentle, verdant beauty, contrasts sharply with the rugged northern landscapes, offering a soothing glimpse into the idyllic summer scenes of ancient China.

Five Dynasties Period (907-960) Dong Yuan. Silk scroll. Ink Wash Painting. Light color. 49.2cm*311.7cm. Collection of the Shanghai Museum.

This piece is compiled from the Chinese edition of Three Thousand Years of Chinese Painting by Foreign Languages Press and Yale University Press, translated by Chen Ying.