Streams and Mountains without End

Streams and Mountains without End

Zhao Zuo

An item at Metropolitan Museum of Art

A close friend and follower of Dong Qichang (1555–1636), Zhao Zuo is said to have served occasionally as Dong's "substitute brush," or ghost painter. In this scroll, however, Zhao has followed the manner of the Yuan master Huang Gongwang (1269–1354) to create a lyrically realistic landscape in which Dong Qichang's influence is tempered by the deft use of rich washes and color. Abstract mountain forms, no doubt inspired by Dong, are softened by the painter's skillful evocation of spatial recession and hazy atmosphere. It is precisely the "professional" technical excellence and "sweetness" that distinguish Zhao's imitations from Dong's authentic works.

Asian Art

An exhibit at Metropolitan Museum of Art

Streams and Mountains without EndStreams and Mountains without EndStreams and Mountains without EndStreams and Mountains without EndStreams and Mountains without End

The Met's collection of Asian art—more than 35,000 objects, ranging in date from the third millennium B.C. to the twenty-first century—is one of the largest and most comprehensive in the world. Each of the many civilizations of Asia is represented by outstanding works, providing an unrivaled experience of the artistic traditions of nearly half the world.