嘉陵曉發圖 (jialing xiaofa tu) Setting Out at Dawn on the Jialing River

Song Wenzhi, artist

1919–1999

嘉陵曉發圖 (jialing xiaofa tu) Setting Out at Dawn on the Jialing River, 1981

Where object was made: China

Material/technique: ink; color; paper

Dimensions:
Image Dimensions Height/Width (Height x Width): 47.2 x 88 cm
Image Dimensions Height/Width (Height x Width): 18 9/16 x 34 5/8 in
Mount Dimensions (Height x Width x Depth): 196.5 x 96.5 cm
Mount Dimensions (Height x Width x Depth): 77 3/8 x 38 in

Credit line: Museum purchase: Gift of Mrs. Floyd T. Amsden in honor of Mr. Floyd T. Amsden

Accession number: 1982.0107

Not on display

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Label texts

Exhibition Label:
"Using the Past to Serve the Present in 20th Century Chinese Painting," Oct-2006, Ai-lian Liu, Asian Art Intern
Song Wenzhi, a leading master of the 20th century, is known for his technical mastery and versatility. He has been praised for his ability to combine his classical training in Chinese brushwork with direct study from nature. In his later years, after traveling through many parts of China, he created beautifully observed, moving views of the Yangzi River region. We see his response to another southern river in this view of boats setting sail at dawn on the Jialing in Sichuan province.

Exhibition Label:
"Images of the Journey," Jun-2005, Hillary Pedersen
Song Wenzhi, a leading Chinese master of the twentieth century, is known for his technical mastery and versatility. He has been praised for his ability to combine his classical training in Chinese brushwork with modern sensibilities, notably, direct study from nature. Traveling around China, Song Wenzhi came to appreciate the variety of landscapes throughout the country. Turning to the real landscape, rather than to the works of past masters, inspired new directions in his painting. In his later years, he created beautifully observed, moving views of the Yangzi River region. We see his response to another southern river in this magnificent view of boats setting sail at dawn on the Jialing, one of the major rivers running through the city of Chongqing in Sichuan province.
The diagonal thrust of the central mountain group dominates this horizontal composition. A variety of techniques render the texture of the mountain: puffy areas of gray wash, thin black wavy lines, and dark, heavy patches of ink combine to create dynamic movement within these forms. Delicately rendered boats, the focal point of the picture, travel along the glassy river at the base of the mountains and approach the bounding waterfall.

Archive Label 2003:
After the liberation Song Wenzhi spent a period of time traveling around China. He explored new directions in his paintings as well, turning to the landscape around him rather than works of past masters for inspiration. As a result he developed a very personal stle, exemplified in this magnificent view of boats setting sails at dawn. In comparison with his earlier work there is a new vigor present in the brushwork, reflecting both the vitality of nature and the bold spirit of modern China.