Recluse washing his feet in a stream 1368 - 1644

Chen Guan made this ink-on-paper fan painting, “Recluse washing his feet in a stream,” during the Ming Dynasty. Note how the artist presents to us an image of a landscape and a figure existing apart from society. This imagery speaks to a cultural interest in the idea of the hermit. The story of the recluse became popular in China due to the rise of Confucianism, which emphasizes public service, but the appeal of withdrawing from public life grew during periods of political turmoil. The landscape is not simply a backdrop. Instead, it speaks to the recluse’s harmony with nature. The stream is not simply a place to wash feet, but a source of spiritual nourishment. To understand this image better, we can research the history of Confucianism and the lives of hermits in Ming China. The meaning of art changes over time, and it is through careful study of history that we can come to a richer understanding of it.