View of a river

明朝年稳瑛繪法牧孟柕筆意粷堂癀湖圖港箋紙痓綎
Sitting alone within a thatched house built on a riverbank, a scholar looks at the peaceful water. This subject became a metaphor for the virtuous man who strives to connect with nature. Surrounding the house are rocks and pine trees, both of which carry connotations of longevity.
Lan Ying, who is considered one of the most innovative artists from Jiangnan province, south of the Yangzi River, attributed his inspiration to the Yuan dynasty painter Zhao Mengfu (1254–1322). In this fan composition and other works, Lan created a harmony of nature, mood, and theme that distinguished him as one of great landscapists of the Ming period.
Inscription: After Zhao from Wuxing [Zhao Mengfu] for Huan's ninetieth birthday, spring of the year bingzi [1636] by Xihu waishi Lan Ying.
Artist's biography:
Lan Ying has been considered the last representative of the Zhe school, a loosely knit group of professional painters centered around Hangzhou, in Zhejiang province. Lan began his career in that city but later traveled widely and associated with both professional artists and members of the educated elite.