Fan Kuan, Travelers Amid Mountains and Streams

Explore a monumental ink painting on silk titled Travelers Amid Mountains and Streams by Northern Song dynasty artist Fan Kuan. This rustic Daoist hermit, known for wearing vintage clothing, coveted solitude and had a deep appreciation for nature. He strove to give an accurate portrayal of the mountains he lived in, while at the same time capturing the spirit of the mountains in this awe-inspiring landscape.

We take a close look at this painting, exploring its every facet, from the rocky riverscape with cascading falls in the foreground to the monumental mountains and a steep waterfall that towers above.

Main Image: Fan Kuan, Travelers Among Mountains and Streams, c. 1000 CE, Northern Song Dynasty, hanging scroll, ink and light color on silk. National Palace Museum, Taipei.

Speaker: Dr. Cortney Chaffin Kim

Topics in the video

  • Chinese ink painting

  • Landscape painting

  • Daoism

  • Song dynasty art

CHAPTERS

0:00 Introduction

0:37 Who was Fan Kuan?

1:35 Early imperial records about the artist

2:20 A close look at Travelers Amid Mountains and Streams

4:34 Fan Kuan’s love of Daoism

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