Hillside with Pine Trees c. 1630

"Hillside with Pine Trees" is a 17th-century Chinese ink and wash painting attributed to Cheng Jiasui, a prominent artist during the Ming Dynasty. The painting depicts a serene landscape featuring a hillside covered in dense pine trees and a small dwelling nestled among them, suggesting a sense of tranquility and isolation. The minimalist style of the painting, executed with delicate brushstrokes and subtle shading, is characteristic of the literati movement in Chinese art, which valued simplicity and elegance. The composition is balanced and harmonious, with the trees forming a vertical axis that draws the viewer's eye upward towards the secluded dwelling. This painting exemplifies the artistic principles of the literati tradition, emphasizing the importance of natural beauty and personal contemplation in art.