Village and Temples in Jiangnan 1400 - 1433

"Village and Temples in Jiangnan" is an anonymous Chinese painting from the Ming dynasty, dated 1400–1433. The work depicts a detailed, bird's-eye view of a village nestled within a mountain landscape. The artist utilizes subtle washes of color and ink to depict the cascading hills, winding waterways, and intricate architecture, echoing the principles of "shan shui" (mountain-water) painting. This painting, now part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art's collection, showcases the delicate balance of natural beauty and human activity, a common theme in traditional Chinese art.