▲ Yuan Shengmao "Autumn Forest Fishing Hidden Map"
Sheng Mao, whose name is Zizhao, was a painter of the Yuan Dynasty, originally from Lin'an, Zhejiang, and later lived in Weitang Town, Jiaxing. He was a prolific and versatile master who excelled in landscapes, figures, flowers and birds.
The creation date of "Autumn Forest Fishing Hidden Picture" is from Yuan to Zheng (1341-1370), and the specific creation year is 1350. Material and size: paper (silk), light color (ink), 102.8 cm in length, 33.5 cm in width. Collection: Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, United States.
"Autumn Forest Fishing Hidden Picture" depicts a river scene in late autumn. In the picture, the mountains in the distance are continuous, simple and dynamic; Nearby, the ancient trees on the riverbank are depressed and vigorous, in stark contrast to the distant mountains. A fisherman sits on a boat on the water's edge, focusing on fishing, and perhaps a bird fluttering its wings next to him, adding to the vividness of the picture. The whole picture vividly reflects the loneliness of autumn and the calm and peaceful state of mind of the fisherman, reflecting the aspirations of the literati at that time.
Sheng Mao makes a living from painting and has extremely solid brush and ink skills. He paints mountains and rocks mostly with a batch of hemp or unraveling the rope, the brushwork is fine, and the colors are bright. In the "Autumn Forest Fishing Hidden Map", these techniques are fully reflected.
Through concise images and vivid details, the work creates a quiet and far-reaching artistic conception. The image of the fisherman not only represents the secluded life of the individual, but also the literati's yearning for detachment from the world and the pursuit of spiritual freedom.
Sheng Mao likes to paint autumn scenes, and often places fine brushstrokes of characters in the drawings to express the typical theme of literati seclusion. This theme is more common in literati paintings of the Yuan Dynasty, reflecting the yearning and pursuit of a secluded life by literati and doctors at that time.
"Autumn Forest Fishing Hidden Picture" has been handed over to famous collectors such as Xie Xizeng, Ye Gongqiu, Zhang Daqian and Gu Luofu, and has extremely high historical value.
"Autumn Forest Fishing Hidden Picture" depicts a hidden fishing scene in late autumn. In the picture, the distant mountains are continuous, simple and dynamic; Nearby, the ancient trees on the banks of the river stand tall and tall, contrasting with the distant mountains. On the river, a fisherman sits in a small boat, intently fishing. The whole picture is quiet and profound, full of the loneliness of autumn and the tranquility of a fisherman. The work has been highly praised since its inception. Its exquisite technique, far-reaching artistic conception and unique literati hidden themes have made it a treasure in the art of Chinese painting. It is highly praised by many connoisseurs and art lovers.
