China: 'Early Spring' (早春圖) by the Song Dynasty artist Guo Xi (郭熙, c. 1020-1090), 1072

Early Spring is a hanging scroll painting by the artist Guo Xi. Completed in 1072 CE, it is one of the most famous works of Chinese art from the Song Dynasty period.

The work demonstrates his innovative techniques for producing multiple perspectives which he called 'the angle of totality'.

The poem in the upper right corner was added in 1759 by Emperor Qianlong. It reads:

Chinese: 樹纔發葉溪開凍 / 樓閣仙居最上層 / 不藉柳桃閒點綴 / 春山早見氣如蒸

Pinyin: shù cái fā yè xī kāidòng / lóugé xiānjū zuì shàngcéng / bù jiè liǔ táo jiàn diǎnzhuì / chūnshān zǎo jiàn qì rú zhēng

The trees are just beginning to sprout leaves; the frozen brook begins to melt
A building is placed on the highest ground, where the immortals reside
There is nothing between the willow and peach trees to clutter up the scene
Steam-like mist can be seen early in the morning on the springtime mountain.

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Supplier: CPA Media Co. Ltd.

Credit:

Pictures From History