Collection: Lu Wenying
Lu Wenying (1022–1072) was a Chinese monk and writer active during the Northern Song dynasty. He illustrated classical texts such as the "Odes of Zhou" and the "Classic of Odes" between 1736 and 1795, though these later works were produced under his name by Qing dynasty artisans. His surviving paintings, including "Pulling Oars under Clearing Autumn Skies" (c. 1545) and "Old Pine Tree in a Ravine" (Qing dynasty), reflect Ming and Qing dynasty revivals of Song literati traditions.
Lu Wenying’s paintings favored ink wash techniques on silk or paper, depicting mist-laden mountains, gnarled pines, and riverine landscapes.
"River Village in a Rainstorm" (c. 1480–1507) exemplifies his use of layered washes to evoke atmospheric depth, while "Landscape in the Style of Ancient Masters" (album dated 1642, colophon by Lu Hui in 1912) demonstrates his engagement with Ming dynasty reinterpretations of Song dynasty compositional principles. His work often included calligraphic inscriptions linking visual motifs to classical poetry.
