Kakemono Spring Morning over Lake and Mountains

Steeply rising rock massifs glazed in blue-green push into the image from the right, articulated by small conifers clinging to every edge. To the left, by contrast, a wide, bright expanse of water opens up, behind which distant mountain ridges blur into delicate haze. In the foreground, a spreading pine and a stand of autumn-toned deciduous trees set strong accents.

The inscription at the upper left gives the title Kozan Shungyō, Spring Morning over Lake and Mountains, followed by a date in the summer of a Bogo year and the signature of Chen Anren, beneath which are two red seals. This combination of title, date, and signature in a single column of script is characteristic of literati painting, in which script and image appear as equal partners. The small conifers on the rock edges are set individually and organize the large expanses of rock into manageable steps.

Compositions of this kind follow the classical sansuiga tradition, which understands mountain and water as a complementary pair. Executed as a screen print on silk, the hanging scroll unfolds a cool, clear freshness that comes into its own especially in bright, sparsely furnished rooms.