Country Scenery (Partial), Lan Ying, Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). Ink and color on silk.
Since we’re on the subject of postcards from China, I’m sharing another one for today’s #ThursdayTreeLove. This postcard features the work of 17th century Chinese artist, Lan Ying (1585-1684), an artist of the Ming Dynasty. Based on my limited knowledge of his work, his art features impressive landscapes, typically with trees in the foreground.
Of his collection Landscapes of the Four Seasons, one reviewer wrote:
Foreground trees are always superb manifestations of his painterly craft. Comfortably shifting between the descriptive and the expressive modes, the diverse trees with their vivaciously gestural bodies and diverse foliage patterns provide sustained visual excitement as one progresses through the seasons.
Not surprisingly, I was drawn to the trees before I took in the entire scene of the village nestled between the trees. This enchanting [partial] view could have been entitled Trees of the Village, instead of Country Scenery, and that’s why the postcard has found its way on my blog for #ThursdayTreeLove.
Like another classical Chinese masterpiece shared on the blog a couple of years ago–Peace Reigns Over the River–this postcard is from the set, Chinese Classical Paintings and Calligraphy Work. Cy sent a number of pieces from this collection.
Lan Ying’s work is mesmerizing. If you’d like to explore more, be sure to “right click” on the image above for a closer look and click the links below:
- China Museum Online: Lan Ying
- Hermit-Fisherman on a Spring River
- Landscapes after Song and Yuan Masters
- Landscapes of the Four Seasons
I am joining Parul Thakur for #ThursdayTreeLove every second and fourth Thursday of the month. If you would like to play along, post a picture of a tree on your blog and link it back to her latest #treelove post.
Pics and Posts 
I like this take on the thursdaytreelove challenge, and you’ve captured the postcard beautifully here.
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It’s a beautiful postcard! And of course, besides living with the trees, what better way to demonstrate tree love than through art? 😀
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Yes, it took me a few minutes to move beyond the trees. So many specimens. You can share these cards forever Chandra. LOL. Haha. 🙂 Thanks so much for sharing, and the links as well. 🙂 It was nice to revisit Christine’s trees as well. LOVE them. And thank you for your generous compliment. 😉 Hugs,
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Trees are life! I’ll try to be good and not overdue it on the cards from China. I have a more, but I’ll wait till another time! 🙂
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And yes–the trees!
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It is a beautiful scene, so many tales in those trees and village.
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Love this take and reminds me of Pearl S Buck’s books. Thank you so much for making me think of quiet villages, green fields and happy people. Thanks for joining, Chandra. Always a pleasure to have you around. See you tomorrow.
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Hmm…I never thought of Pearl S. Buck’s books. Thanks for reminding me.
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I like that the trees dominate the picture and would love for their importance to become clear to our human species.
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I like that part too. I’m not sure if that’s the case for the whole image. I can’t seem to find the whole scene anywhere. And yes, hoping that more of us understand the importance of trees…
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Tree Love!! 🙂
That’s a very pretty picture and there are several different and interesting trees in it. 🙂
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Yes! Tree love, indeed! [I love your energy]. I love that pic too. So many different trees! And to think that’s only a portion of the pic!
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