Landscapes of the four seasons (one of eight leaves)

Fall, a traveler with a walking stick climbing a mountain. He is followed by a servant carrying a burden on his shoulders.
Artist's Biography
Known as a landscape painter, Lu Yuan employed a technique associated with the Song dynasty master Mi Fu (1051–1107), which featured a misty atmosphere and landscape forms developed in pronounced horizontal strokes. Although not well documented in texts on Chinese paintings, his works were collected by the Qing imperial household during the reign of the Kangxi emperor (1662–1722)., These eight album leaves portray the progression of the seasons in landscapes, echoing well-known painting styles from the past, with two views of each season from spring to winter, from right to left. Implied through the subtle delineations of the changing weather, vegetation, and light, the eight views serve as sketches and vignettes of the activities of a reclusive gentleman throughout the year.
Copying classic styles and compositions of old masters was a common way for Chinese artists to obtain inspirations in creating their own art. Many artists thus created albums of seasonal landscapes in sets, not only to practice and enhance their own skills, but also to provide samples for the training of students and the appreciation of collectors.