Geese Among Reeds

The beautiful scenery around lakes and mountains in Yangzhou inspired artist Huang Shen to paint this autumn scene. Here, a goose takes flight by the water. Will the others follow? Reeds blown over the lakeshore demonstrate Huang’s clever approach to suggesting the windy, misty shore.

Away from the Qing capital, individual artists enjoyed the freedom to paint more accessible stories with familiar local imagery. Among these painters, Huang Shen explored a rich variety of subject matter. He particularly enjoyed painting urban lake and hill locations around Yangzhou, a culturally and economically flourishing trade port along the southeastern coast.