Nine Songs 1300 - 1368

"Nine Songs" is a handscroll attributed to the renowned Chinese painter Zhao Mengfu, completed between 1300 and 1368. This ink-on-paper artwork, currently housed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, depicts a single elegant female figure standing amidst flowing waves, with her attire gracefully trailing behind her. The delicate lines and subtle shading emphasize the figure's refined elegance, characteristic of the Yuan dynasty artistic style. Zhao Mengfu, a prominent figure in the development of literati painting, incorporated calligraphy and poetry into his compositions, adding a unique dimension to his artistic expression. This scroll exemplifies his mastery of ink and brush, influencing generations of Chinese artists.