Winter Landscape Possibly 1368 - 1644

Xie Shichen’s “Winter Landscape,” a monochromatic ink painting from the Ming dynasty (1368-1644), depicts a serene winter scene in the artist's signature style. The painting's minimalist approach, using ink washes to capture the subtle nuances of snow and ice, reflects the artistic values of the period. A winding path leads through a snowy landscape to a series of buildings nestled amidst the trees, suggesting the peaceful isolation and tranquility of nature. This hanging scroll, now housed in the Art Institute of Chicago, showcases Shichen's masterful handling of ink and brushwork, a technique central to the artistic traditions of China.