Rock in Snow -- Illustration from the Ten Bamboo Studio Manual of Calligraphy and Painting (Shizhuzhai shuhua pu) before 1703

Curator: Hu Zhengyan’s Rock in Snow comes from the Ten Bamboo Studio Manual of Calligraphy and Painting, a woodblock printing manual. Editor: Stark and bleak. The severe, almost brutal, form of the rock against the soft snow creates a powerful visual tension. Curator: These manuals were vital in disseminating artistic styles and techniques, influencing generations of artists. The image speaks to the literati appreciation of the natural world. Editor: The composition is masterful—the negative space defines the subject as much as the ink does. The contrast of textures, rough stone and soft snow, is especially striking. Curator: It's amazing how this small image, printed from woodblocks, carries such cultural weight. Editor: Agreed. It’s a testament to the power of simple forms and masterful technique.