Discourse on Poetry 1698

Gao Jian made this ink-on-paper work, Discourse on Poetry, sometime between 1634 and 1725. It evokes an idealized vision of nature, but let’s consider the social context that shaped its creation. The painting reflects the literati tradition that combined scholarship with artistic expression. The artist lived during the Qing Dynasty, a period of Manchu rule in China, and many Chinese intellectuals withdrew from government service, embracing a life of seclusion and artistic pursuits. Discourse on Poetry embodies this retreat, presenting a tranquil scene, perhaps reflecting a longing for a more harmonious past. The work invites us to reflect on the social and political conditions that prompt artists to turn to nature, and to consider the role of art as both a personal solace and a form of cultural commentary. Art historians consult a range of sources, including dynastic histories and biographies, to understand these complex relationships.