Herdboy and Buffalo 1890

"Herdboy and Buffalo" is a delicate fan painting by the Chinese artist Ren Yi (Ren Bonian), executed in 1890. This painting, now in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, exemplifies Ren Yi's refined brushwork and poetic approach to depicting everyday scenes. The composition depicts a young boy, presumably a shepherd, tending to a water buffalo in a serene landscape of reeds and brush. The subtle washes of ink and color create a sense of atmospheric depth, while the calligraphic inscription at the top adds a literary dimension to the work. The painting is a testament to Ren Yi's skill in capturing both the beauty of the natural world and the quiet intimacy of human interaction.