Early Spring Landscape

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Artist: Cai Jia (Chinese, 1687–1779)
Medium: Ink and light colors on paper
Size: 51-3/8 x 27-15/16 in. (130.5 x 71.0 cm)
Museum: Minneapolis Institute of Art
Rights: Public Domain Mark

This painting relates to Buddhist ideas of reclusion in nature. In the foreground is a river, and along the path that moves upward into the mountains is a Buddhist monastery situated in the valley. The poem inscribed at the top reads:

Monk’s mat, fragrant lamp, and tea I came to visit a temple with great joy Although we are in the earthly realm, there is no noise The shifting scenery shows the passage of time The fragrant southern winds quickly reach the northern snow The spring suddenly approaches the winter plum blossoms I return home late while composing a poem about the glow of the sunset The smoke that shrouds the old tree grove disperses the crows

Text: Minneapolis Institute of Art (Mia), CC BY 4.0.