Landscapes with the Chinese Literati Su Shi and Tao Qian 1795 - 1799

Nagasawa Rosetsu painted this landscape screen with ink on paper, likely in the late 18th century. At first glance, a flock of birds might simply enhance the scenery. Yet, the symbolic weight these birds carry is considerable, especially when seen within the context of the literati tradition the artist invokes. Consider how similar motifs appear in earlier Chinese paintings and poems. The image of birds in flight often symbolizes freedom, detachment from worldly concerns, or even the soul's journey. They can evoke a sense of melancholy, of leaving or longing, deeply resonating with the viewer's subconscious. We see this longing echoed in the figures of Su Shi and Tao Qian, historical symbols of the reclusive scholar. Their presence in this landscape suggests a yearning for a simpler, more natural existence, far from the complexities of court life. The cyclical return to nature, seen in the constant reappearance of these motifs throughout art history, reveals our shared human desire for peace and introspection.