Traveling Amid Streams and Mountains

Liu Yu

An item at Metropolitan Museum of Art

Working in the cosmopolitan city of Nanjing, Liu Yu was exposed to a wide range of artistic influences. His volumetric mountain masses arrayed in sweeping patterns reflect the influence of Dong Qichang (1555–1636). The pale, dry brushwork set off by jet black foliage dots suggests familiarity with the Anhui School painters, while the fantastic landscape formations and bold juxtapositions of deep distance views with startling close-ups show his indebtedness to earlier Nanjing painters such as Wu Bin (act. ca. 1583–1626). This fusion of styles was further developed by the great Individualist master Shitao (1642–1707), who lived in Nanjing between 1680 and 1686.

Asian Art

An exhibit at Metropolitan Museum of Art

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.

Metropolitan Museum of Art