Artist: Wen Jia (1499-1583)
Date: Ming (1368-1644), dated 1544
Dimensions: Height 26.0 cm, Width 27.8 cm
Material: Ink on paper
Wen Jia (1499-1582), also known by his zi (designated name) Xiucheng and hao (literary name) Wenshui, was native to Changzhou (nowadays Suzhou, Jiangsu province). He was the second son of Wen Zhengming. He excelled in painting landscapes, continuing the legacy of his father. This piece was created in commemoration of a trip to Zhanggong Cave and Shanjuan Cave with Hua Yun and others in the 8th year (1529) of the Jiajing reign. It was painted using fine brushwork and light ink, with the artist's inscriptions of the scene's name on each leaf. In addition, these inscriptions were written in small regular script, which means that it was a work of refined intent. Created in the 23rd year (1544) of the Jiajing reign, the artist was 46 years old at the time.