Ink bamboo 1749

Li Shan's "Ink Bamboo" (1749) is a masterful example of Chinese ink wash painting, a technique using varying shades of black ink to depict the delicate beauty of nature. The piece, now housed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, showcases a single branch of bamboo rendered with elegant precision, showcasing the artist's skill in capturing the movement and lightness of this iconic plant. The accompanying calligraphy, written by the artist himself, adds another layer of depth to this evocative artwork, drawing viewers into a serene contemplation of nature.