Album Leaf from Figures in River Landscapes

This is the fifth leaf from the Figures in River Landscape album by Wang Gai (1677-1705), which is painted with ink and colour on paper. Each leaf contains a landscape, which was painted in situ by Wang Gai. Repeating themes throughout the album include figures immersed in the natural environment, which reflects the literati’s yearning and nostalgia.

In this scene, a solitary man sits under a thatched hut along the bank of the river. The landscape appears quite barren, aside from a large tree shading the hut.