Eighteen Views of Huzhou

c. 1588

Song Xu

Song Xu (Chinese, 1525-c. 1606)

Chinese Art

Eighteen Views of Huzhou, c. 1588. Song Xu (Chinese, 1525-c. 1606). Album of eighteen leaves; ink and color on silk; each leaf: 26.4 x 28.4 cm (10 3/8 x 11 3/16 in.). The Cleveland Museum of Art, The Severance and Greta Millikin Purchase Fund 1998.78

Original Source

Maker/Artist: Song Xu
Classification: Painting
Formatted Medium: Album of eighteen leaves; ink and color on silk
Medium: album, leaves, ink, color, silk
Dimensions: Each leaf: 26.4 x 28.4 cm (10 3/8 x 11 3/16 in.)
Inscribed: Inscription: 包陽湖：自此數里，東出太湖甚近。北至香山可數里。過此即宜興界矣。 Translation: Leaf 4. (1998.78.14) Baoyang Lake: Several li from here to the east, one can exit through Lake Tai, which is quite near. Just a few li to the north is the township of Xiangshan. Having arrived there, one will cross over the border to the city of Yixing. Inscription: 呂山滙：蓋呂蒙曾屋此而云然。亦弁山餘派也，入郡中必由此。 Translation: Leaf 7. Lüshan Hui: Its name stems from Lü Meng [AD 178–219], who camped there. It is a place in the Bian Mountain range. To go to the capital city of the prefecture [Wuxing], one must follow through here. Inscription: 道場山：郡城南去，可五六里，為伏虎禪師道場。上有伏虎亭、望湖亭。南可見武林諸山。北盡震澤群峯之勝。俯窺城郭樓臺，佳麗如畫。 Translation: Leaf 11. (1998.78.13) Mt. Daochang: From the prefectural city toward the south, about 5, 6 li, there is the spiritual abode of the Chan Master Fuhu [master who tamed tigers, or Zhifeng 志逢, 909–985]. Up above [on the hill] are the Fuhu and Wanghu Pavilions. Looking toward the south, one can see the mountains in Hangzhou. Looking toward the north, one can see all the way to the Lake Tai and also its hilly islands. Looking down, the city walls are laid before us, with towers and terraces, as splendid as in a painting. Inscription: 碧巖山：山多古木，寺藏其中。今為人侵伐殆盡，遂成荒廢，遊者鮮矣。然嶺崖飛瀑，不減清致。 Translation: Leaf 16. (1998.78.4) Mt. Biyan: This mountain used to have a primeval forest, with a temple hidden within it. Now, those primeval forests have been wantonly and completely cut down. Consequently, with its devastated look, few travelers are coming. Still, with its peaks, cliffs, and waterfall, there is no lack of scenic beauty.
Departments: Chinese Art
Accession Number: 1998.78
Credit Line: The Severance and Greta Millikin Purchase Fund
Exhibitions: Main Asian Gallery Rotation (Gallery 122). The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (March 4-July 23, 2003)., Main Asian Gallery Rotation (Gallery 122). The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (July 23-October 27, 2003)., Main Asian Gallery Rotation (Gallery 122). The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (October 27, 2003-March 10, 2004)., Main Asian Gallery Rotation (Gallery 122). The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (March 10-April 7, 2004).
Rights Statement: CC0