Landscape after Dong Yuan, Juran, Ma Yuan, and Xia Gui 1655

Li Zai, working in the 17th century, painted this ink on silk scroll, echoing earlier masters. Observe the towering mountains, shrouded in mist, rendered with precise brushstrokes. These mountains are not mere geological forms; they are powerful symbols of stability and permanence. The mountain motif transcends cultures, appearing in myriad forms from the ziggurats of ancient Mesopotamia to the sacred Mount Fuji of Japan. Consider the Jungian concept of the collective unconscious; the mountain evokes a shared human experience, a primal connection to the earth. These recurring images tap into our collective memory, resurfacing in art across time and space. The mountain, therefore, becomes more than just a landscape feature, evolving into a potent symbol. Its recurring presence reveals our shared psychological landscape, shaping our interpretations and eliciting emotional responses that resonate deeply within us.