Bamboo, old tree, and rock 1338

"Bamboo, old tree, and rock" was created by Wu Zhen in the Yuan Dynasty. It is a landscape painted with ink on paper. Wu Zhen, a scholar-artist, lived during a time of Mongol rule in China, which influenced his artistic expression. The painting embodies the values of literati painting, emphasizing personal expression over mere representation. Wu Zhen uses the symbolism of bamboo, the old tree, and the rock to convey the resilience and moral integrity of the scholar in the face of adversity. The ink monochrome palette enhances the meditative quality of the work. It echoes the artist's desire to live a simple and virtuous life, away from the political turmoil of the time. In his inscription, Wu Zhen praises “the gentlemanly qualities of bamboo, evergreen even in the frost.” This work reflects the artist’s inner world and his response to the societal pressures of his era. It reflects the search for personal identity and meaning during times of cultural change.