Artwork Description

Title: Spring River Cattle
Artist: Quanzong Zhang
Date: Undated
Medium: Chinese painting
Dimensions: 27.17 x 54.33 in (69 x 138 cm)

1. Artwork Identification
Spring River Cattle by Quanzong Zhang is a large-format Chinese landscape painting rendered in ink and color on paper, measuring 69 x 138 cm (27.17 x 54.33 in). The composition features a tranquil riverscape in spring, where cattle graze or wade near the water’s edge, set against a backdrop of mist-veiled hills and distant peaks. Small figures or dwellings may be present, harmonizing with the natural elements to evoke a pastoral scene of seasonal rebirth.

2. Artistic Style and Influences
Zhang’s style blends classical shan shui techniques with contemporary sensibility. The depiction of livestock—particularly oxen or cattle—draws from traditional agricultural symbolism found in Song and Ming dynasty works, signifying diligence, peace, and rural idealism. The controlled brushwork, subtle color gradation, and atmospheric layering are characteristic of Zhang’s refined approach, deeply rooted in literati painting traditions while reflecting modern landscape aesthetics.

3. Historical Context
Cattle are a recurring subject in Chinese art, especially in representations of agrarian life and Taoist harmony with nature. The spring setting, emphasized in the Title:, reinforces themes of regeneration and prosperity. Zhang’s portrayal likely draws on the lush river valleys of southern China, regions famed in Chinese visual and literary culture for their fertile terrain and timeless rhythms of rural life.

4. Provenance and Authenticity
Please contact the gallery directly for provenance documentation and certificates of authenticity.

5. Condition and Conservation
The painting is in excellent condition. There are no visible signs of deterioration, pigment loss, or structural damage. The surface and mount remain stable. Conservation inspection available upon request.

6. Artistic Significance
Spring River Cattle adds a lyrical dimension to Quanzong Zhang’s landscape oeuvre by incorporating pastoral elements. It echoes the scholar-painter tradition in which animals, humans, and nature coexist in quiet harmony. This work stands as a testament to Zhang’s ability to fuse tradition with painterly nuance, resonating with collectors interested in both classical Chinese landscape and its thoughtful contemporary interpretations.