Interpretation
Seated in an open hut with books by his side, a man looks out on a peaceful scene. Nearby hills and trees line the water’s edge, and mountains in light blue wash fade into the distance. Instead of using bright blue and green mineral pigments, here Shen Zhou uses subtle color washes to create an atmosphere in which the scholar sits deep in thought pondering how to purify his mind. Shen Zhou titles the painting, “Purification Studio,” which also happens to be the nickname of the man to whom the picture was given.
Information
- Title
- Purification Studio (Dizhai tu 滌齋圖)
- Object Number
- y1978-21
- Maker
- Shen Zhou 沈周
- Medium
- Handscroll; ink and color on paper
- Dates
- undated, ca. 1506
- Dimensions
- Calligraphy (Preface): 26.5 x 57 cm. (10 7/16 x 22 7/16 in.) Painting: 28 x 161.5 cm. (11 x 63 9/16 in.) Colophon: 30 x 112 cm. (11 13/16 x 44 1/8 in.) Mount: h. 34.2 cm. (13 7/16 in.)
- Credit Line
- Gift of Jeannette Shambaugh Elliott
- Culture
- Chinese
- Period
- Ming dynasty
- Place made
- Asia, China
- Inscriptions
- y
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