Ancient Cypress Trees and Flying Springs《古柏飞泉图轴》

Zhang Yuanju, also known as Maoxian and Wuhu, was a skilled painter whose birth and death dates remain a mystery. Hailing from Wuxian County, now part of Suzhou in Jiangsu Province, Zhang drew inspiration from the biography of his maternal ancestor Chen Daofu. He had a remarkable talent for painting flowers and birds, which he portrayed in a vivid and charming manner. Despite offers of money and silk, Zhang preferred to indulge in good wine. He also possessed a free-flowing writing style, which he inherited from the elegant Ming Dynasty.

This artwork is a magnificent creation, showcasing the artist’s skill and vision. Thick ink outlines the trees and rocks, while the moss and leaves are delicately painted with graceful brushstrokes. The picture is clear and black, with minimal scratches, evoking a solemn and sparse atmosphere that perfectly captures the theme’s artistic conception. The ancient cypress tree stands tall and imposing, jutting out diagonally from the stone gap. Its branches are robust and unyielding, conveying a sense of unrelenting momentum. The painting is sharp and concise, without any unnecessary details. Through the gap between the trees, one can catch a glimpse of the sharp walls beyond. Although the entire mountain is not shown, the painting leaves a lasting impression of towering height and abruptness. The waterfall streaming through the ancient cypresses and rocks adds to the painting’s artistic allure.

张元举，生卒年不详，字懋贤，号五湖，吴县（今江苏苏州）诸生。画得外祖陈道复之传，善花鸟，气韵生动。人与金帛请辄拒，酒酣兴至，则纵笔挥洒。书承文徵明，端逸有体。

此画作堪称巨幅，在笔墨上，以劲厚的墨笔勾勒树石轮廓，潇洒的润笔点染苔叶，少见皴擦，使得画面黑白分明，疏朗凝重，充分表现了主题意境。古柏崛奇，从石隙中斜挺而出，枝干虬劲，有刚强不屈之势，颖脱劲锐而无冗笔。透过树隙，可看到壁立如削，虽没有表现山势全貌，却给人以高峻突兀的联想。瀑布在古柏、山石间穿过，有一泻千里之势，具有较强的艺术感染力。