Travellers on a Mountain Path

This hanging scroll by Lu Shoukun (1919-1975) depicts a group of travellers walking on a mountain path. From a bird’s-eye perspective the viewer is given a sense of height and distance in order to reveal the entire scene at once. In the midground of the painting, Lu uses smooth washes of ink to indicate abstract mountainous forms. The varying shades of cyan, gray, and black make the layers of the painting rich and vibrant. The travellers, which are painted using colourful brush strokes outlined in thick black ink, are highly detailed in relation to their environment. The contrast of dark ink washes, detailed figures, and negative space conveys an infinite sense of distance.