Landscapes after old masters 1638 - 1650

Yun Xiang painted *Landscapes after old masters* in ink and color on paper, echoing the style of earlier artists through its depiction of nature and its elements. Here, mountains rise in the background, their peaks shrouded in mist, mirroring the symbolic importance of mountains in Chinese culture as representations of stability, endurance, and the connection between earth and heaven. One can't help but notice how their forms bear resemblance to the pyramids of ancient Egypt. This connection allows us to glimpse how universal symbols resurface in diverse contexts, bearing similar associations of power and the sublime. The human element is represented through dwellings nestled amidst the landscape, and a boat floats gently on the water. These elements evoke the Daoist philosophy of living in harmony with nature. These scenes, filled with introspection and a deep, subconscious longing for nature are not just representations, but echoes of past artistic expressions. They act as carriers of cultural memory, engaging viewers on a primal level. These motifs create a non-linear, cyclical progression, resurfacing, evolving, and taking on new meanings in different historical contexts.