Listening to the Waterfall

Themes like gazing at waterfalls and listening to the sound of nature traditionally evoke the literati ideal of man in harmony with nature. However, in post-1949 China, they seemed out of touch with contemporary life and were either painted for private contemplation or associated with the beauty of the new and modern China. Fu Baoshi painted this fan 1962 in Nanjing and dedicated the whole set, to which this leaf belongs, to his wife and eldest daughter, Yishan. The small painting offers an extraordinary breadth of vision and demonstrates the artist’s effortless and free use of the brush.

A fan painting in ink and color depicts a person in a pavilion, looking toward a faint waterfall. Dense clusters of dark brushstrokes and pink dabs convey trees in the center. Muted gray and brown washes form misty depth within the curved composition. Several columns of Chinese calligraphy and red seals feature in the upper right, with another seal on the far left. Loose, expressive lines define the figure and rocky ground.

Listening to the Waterfall

1962

Fu Baoshi

(Chinese, 1904–1965)

China

Visually Similar by AI

Contact Us

The information about this object, including provenance, may not be currently accurate. If you notice a mistake or have additional information about this object, please fill out the appropriate request form linked below:

Update or Correct Artwork Information

Imagery or Rights for Non-Open-Access Artworks

Report a Website Issue

Further Questions About This Artwork

Artwork Page for Listening to the Waterfall

Details / Information for Listening to the Waterfall