Scholar on a rock 1870 - 1890

"Scholar on a Rock" is a handscroll painting by Ren Bonian, also known as Ren Yi, created between 1870 and 1890. This piece showcases Ren Bonian's mastery of the literati style, evident in the delicate brushstrokes and elegant composition. The scholar, depicted in a meditative pose on a craggy rock, embodies the ideal of intellectual pursuit and appreciation for nature. This painting, now in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, exemplifies the refinement and beauty characteristic of Chinese art in the late Qing dynasty.