Landscapes of the Four Seasons 1560

Xie Shichen created these ink landscapes on silk, sometime in the 16th century, during the Ming Dynasty. Living through a period of economic growth, alongside social and cultural changes, Xie was part of a new class of professional artists, who often challenged traditional artistic values. His landscapes take us on a journey through the seasons, winter's starkness moving to the freshness of spring, the fullness of summer, and finally the harvest of autumn. But, these landscapes were more than just representations of nature; they reflected the cultural and philosophical ideals of the time. Nature was seen as a mirror of the self, so these landscapes became a medium for artists to express their emotions, their inner selves. While deeply rooted in the traditional techniques of Chinese landscape painting, there's a unique emotional depth to Xie's work. It invites you to meditate on the cyclical nature of life, reflecting on the interplay between the external world and our internal emotional landscape.