Artist: Gong Xian (1618-1689)

Date: Qing (1644-1911)

Dimensions: Height 36.4 cm, Width 28.0 cm

Material: Ink on paper

Gift of Shen Tongyue, Gu Liu, Gu Fo, Gu Duzhang, Gu Duqiu et al.

• Object Type：
  • PAINTINGS
• Location：
  • The Painting and Calligraphy of Shanghai Gallery
• Tag：
  • landscape album leaf gong xian qing ink paper

Gong Xian (1618-1689), also known as Qi Xian, with zi (designated name) Banqian and hao (literary name) Yeyi, was a native of Kunshan (in present-day Jiangsu province) who later settled in Nanjing, becoming the foremost of the "Eight Masters of Jinling". In his youth at Yangzhou's Ying Garden, Gong studied under the master Dong Qichang alongside Yang Wencong. Dong profoundly influenced Gong's artistic style. He also drew inspiration from Wu Zhen, mastering ink techniques. This album showcases both his early "White Gong" style characterized by sparse, exploratory brushwork, and his mature "Black Gong" style that demonstrates his mastery of layered ink accumulation. This album exemplifies his balanced command of brush and ink.

【Special Exhibition】 An Everlasting Spring: The Art of Painting and Calligraphy in Shanghai