Landscape 山水扇面 Possibly 1368 - 1644

This is a landscape fan painting by Pei Zhi, made sometime during his life between 1368 and 1644. It's made from ink and color on gold-covered paper. The fan’s surface is structured by the parallel ribs. The gold leaf lends a subtle reflective quality, enhancing the ink’s tonality. Note how the ink is applied in washes to create soft, atmospheric effects, and in sharper, more deliberate strokes to define the rocks, trees, and figures. The paper's absorbency also influences the ink's behavior, allowing for delicate gradations of tone and texture. The act of painting on a fan demands careful consideration of the object’s form. Pei Zhi skillfully composes the landscape to fit within the fan's arc, creating a sense of depth and movement. The inscription, calligraphy, and seal add another layer of meaning, reflecting the artist's erudition. Looking closely at the materials and the techniques employed in its making help us appreciate the skill involved in creating an image that functions both as a work of art and as a functional object.