Boats to the door 1707

"Boats to the Door" is a small-scale ink-and-wash painting created in 1707, the year of the artist's death, by the renowned Chinese painter Shitao (1642-1707). The painting captures a serene and atmospheric landscape, featuring a lone sailboat navigating a misty expanse of water towards distant mountains. Shitao’s use of ink and washes skillfully creates a sense of depth and tranquility. The poem inscribed on the painting suggests its significance for the artist, possibly reflecting his own journey and the passage of time. This work exemplifies Shitao's unique style, a synthesis of traditional Chinese landscape painting with innovative brushwork and an emphasis on poetic expression.