Artwork Description

Title: Half Mountain Pine Sound, Ten Thousand Gullies Spread

Artist: Quanzong Zhang

Date: Undated

Medium: Chinese painting, ink and color on paper

Dimensions: 53.5 x 27.6 in (136 x 70 cm)

1. Artwork Identification
Quanzong Zhang’s Half Mountain Pine Sound, Ten Thousand Gullies Spread is an evocative landscape executed in ink and color on paper, measuring 136 by 70 centimeters. The composition reveals a symphony of natural forms: towering, mist-shrouded peaks; cascading waterfalls threading between valleys; and clusters of pine trees anchoring the scene with quiet vertical rhythm. In a particularly poignant detail, deer can be spotted grazing on a distant ridge—delicate evidence of life within the immensity of nature. Zhang’s confident brushwork and vibrant pigments guide the viewer through an expansive, contemplative terrain.

2. Artistic Style and Influences
The painting is rendered in the blue-and-green shan shui tradition, a stylistic lineage tracing back to Tang dynasty masters such as Li Sixun and Zhao Boju. This style departs from monochrome ink wash to embrace rich mineral pigments—especially azurite and malachite—giving the mountains their jewel-toned vibrancy. Zhang skillfully applies this classical palette while introducing modern nuances in composition and perspective. The rhythmic spacing of forms and the balance of solid and void embody key principles of literati aesthetics, while the wildlife elements add a lyrical, almost narrative dimension.

3. Historical Context
The “blue-and-green” style flourished during the Tang dynasty as an imperial and aristocratic mode of painting, symbolizing opulence and heavenly order. In Half Mountain Pine Sound, Ten Thousand Gullies Spread, Zhang revives this tradition to suggest a realm of timeless harmony. The sound of wind through pine trees—a motif celebrated in Daoist poetry—is evoked through visual cues, creating a synesthetic experience. The painting’s Title: speaks to the sheer breadth of the landscape: gullies stretching beyond vision, echoing the painter’s reverence for the boundless complexity of the natural world.

4. Provenance and Authenticity
Interested collectors are invited to contact the gallery directly for complete provenance details and certificates of authenticity. Documentation will be provided upon request to ensure confidence in acquisition.

5. Condition and Conservation
This work is in excellent condition. The color layers are luminous and well-preserved, with no evidence of flaking or fading. The ink outlines are crisp, and the paper support is stable. There are no visible restorations or surface inconsistencies. Conservation measures have not been required but archival framing and low-light exhibition are advised for continued preservation.

6. Artistic Significance
Half Mountain Pine Sound, Ten Thousand Gullies Spread stands as a testament to Quanzong Zhang’s ability to revive and reinterpret ancient styles with fresh perspective. His synthesis of Tang dynasty chromatics with Song-inspired structure reveals both deep historical awareness and a personal artistic vocabulary. The inclusion of fauna within the majestic setting introduces a rare tenderness and narrative, enhancing the work’s collector appeal and scholarly interest. This is a sophisticated and culturally resonant addition to any serious collection of Chinese painting.