Landscapes for Liu Songfu 山水册页 Possibly 1644 - 1911

Xugu created this landscape painting, part of an album for Liu Songfu, in the late 19th century. As an artist with a complex identity – a former military man who became a Buddhist monk and professional painter – Xugu lived through turbulent times in China, including the Taiping Rebellion, which profoundly impacted his life and art. Notice how the stark, minimalist style deviates from traditional landscape painting. Xugu’s life experiences echo in the solitude of the lone figure and the bareness of the trees. "My paintings are like Chan (Zen)," Xugu once said, suggesting a parallel between his artistic practice and his spiritual beliefs. The painting evokes a sense of quiet contemplation, almost melancholy. It invites us to consider the artist’s journey and the broader historical context of upheaval and resilience. What do you feel when considering the contrast between the harshness of the landscape, and the delicate rendering of the solitary figure?