Fragrant Snow at Broken Bridge Wang Mian Chinese An ambitious scholar, Wang Mian was determined to fulfill his responsibilities as a man of talent despite the frustrations and dangers of life under Mongol rule. He studied philosophy, military tactics and politics. He wrote poems and government treatises, drew up battle plans and painted unforgettable images of the flowering plum that became the principal model for plum painters of Ming and Qing this painting, Wang Main brought into balance the expressive and representational elements of his subject, for in depicting silken blossoms an
Fragrant Snow at Broken Bridge Wang Mian Chinese An ambitious scholar, Wang Mian was determined to fulfill his responsibilities as a man of talent despite the frustrations and dangers of life under Mongol rule. He studied philosophy, military tactics and politics. He wrote poems and government treatises, drew up battle plans and painted unforgettable images of the flowering plum that became the principal model for plum painters of Ming and Qing this painting, Wang Main brought into balance the expressive and representational elements of his subject, for in depicting silken blossoms and rough branches, he employed both the delicately descriptive techniques of his academic predecessors and the bold calligraphic brushwork of his literati flowering plum (Prunus mume, or Japanese apricot) became an object of intense enthusiasm during the Southern Song dynasty and has remained one of China's favorite motifs. Blooming before all other trees, it was welcomed as the harbinger of spring. By Wang Mian's time, under the impact of the barbarian Mongol rule, the image of the flowering plum blossoming in the withered winter landscape, had become a powerful symbol of purity and endurance in adversity. Listen to experts illuminate this artwork's story Listen Play or pause #7712. Fragrant Snow at Broken Bridge Supported by Bloomberg Philanthropies We're sorry, the transcript for this audio track is not available at this time. We are working to make it available as soon as Fragrant Snow at Broken Bridge. Wang Mian (Chinese, 1287–1359). China. Hanging scroll; ink on silk. Yuan dynasty (1271–1368). Paintings
Size: 2061px × 3876px
Photo credit: © MET/BOT / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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