Boat on River c. 1630

Cheng Jiasui made this ink on paper painting, "Boat on River," during the Ming Dynasty. The cultural and social context of the Ming Dynasty provides a lens for interpreting this seemingly simple landscape. Classical Chinese painting was closely tied to the literati class, who often served as government officials. These individuals saw painting, calligraphy, and poetry as essential skills and virtues for the ideal scholar-official. Many retired from public service or became hermits in protest against government corruption. In retirement, some became professional artists, relying on patronage or the market. We can see how this cultural value of withdrawal from public life is reflected in Cheng Jiasui’s natural scene. The painting's use of monochrome ink wash and the emphasis on capturing the essence of nature, rather than realistic detail, speak to the philosophical underpinnings of Chinese landscape painting, especially Daoism. Such art was tied to a cultural elite. As art historians, we might consult historical texts, biographies, and studies of Ming Dynasty art to further understand the social meanings of this work.