Visiting a Hermit in the Autumn Mountains
Mount: 106 × 20 inches (269.24 × 50.8 cm)
“At twilight, how charming the mountain in its fresh autumn colors.
A rustic cottage stands alone by the encircling stream.
It might be said books vainly fill the room,
Yet men of distinction are often drawn to visit.”
—Zhang Fu
Zhang Fu expresses his love for autumnal beauty in this towering mountainscape. In the lower left corner, a gentleman (perhaps Zhang himself ) and a servant boy trek toward a hermit’s home. The home is located in a deep mountain valley, echoed by a waterfall and foliage whispering in the wind. While picturing the coolness of nature, Zhang also hints at the warmth of the human world: just ahead lies the hermit’s cottage, filled with books and antiques.
Dr. Victoria Contag von Winterfeldt (1906-1973), Munich, Germany, by April 1952-1973 [1];
By descent to her daughter, Beatrix Freifrau Riedesel zu Eisenbach, 1973-75;
Purchased from Beatrix Freifrau Riedesel zu Eisenbach by The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, Kansas City, MO, 1975.
NOTES:
[1] Victoria von Winterfeldt was a sinologist at the University of Mainz. This object was on loan from her to the Nelson-Atkins from April 1952 until her death in 1973.
