Self-portrait

By Jin Nong

131.4cm x 59cm

scroll ink on paper

Forbidden City Museum, Beijing

This interesting portrait shows the viewers a naive old man. It was painted with simple strokes and it is not in proportion, but it has an unearthly temperament. Chinese artists, especially literator artists, rarely painted self-portraits. This figure represents the interest and esthetic notions of literators.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deep Valley and Thoroughwort

By Luo Pin

110cm x 33.1cm

scroll ink and water on paper

Forbidden City Museum, Beijing

This is a small corner of nature. It shows an elegant temperament. The artist used light ink for the rocks and dark ink for the thoroughwort. It might even has a bit religious meaning.