Remaining Ideas of Dong and Ju《董巨遗意图轴》

Yun Xiang (1586–1655)
Yun Xiang, originally named Benchu, later changed to Xiang, with courtesy names Daosheng and Shuchen, and the pseudonym Xiangshan, was from Wujin (present-day Changzhou), Jiangsu. He excelled in poetry, calligraphy, and painting, particularly known for his landscape paintings. In his early years, he painted extensively, but in later years he became more restrained, significantly influencing his nephew Yun Shouping.

“Inspired by Dong Yuan and Ju Ran” (1632)
This painting was created by Yun Xiang at the age of 47 for his “society brother Ziyu.” The “society” likely refers to the Fushe, which Yun joined in the second year of Chongzhen (1629). Although the identity of “Ziyu society brother” is unclear, it may have been Huang Yisheng from Taicang. The painting, inspired by Dong Yuan, depicts the lush scenery of a summer mountain after rain. While elements of Dong Yuan and Juran’s style are evident, Yun Xiang’s brushwork and composition are uniquely his own. Influenced by the prevailing trend of antiquity, Yun Xiang’s works often reflect a deep understanding and pursuit of ancient styles, as he stated, “Recent painters emulate Dong Yuan and Wu Zhen without understanding their simplicity, only seeking density without embracing sparsity.” This piece achieves a balance of dense and sparse with broad, expressive strokes, capturing the essence of mist and ink. The piece is an early masterpiece of Yun Xiang’s artistry, representing his best work from this period. Du Fu’s poem aptly describes it: “The primordial spirit seeps through the screen, even the heavens weep at the true essence conveyed.”

恽向（1586－1655），原名本初，后改为向，字道生，一字曙臣，号香山，江苏武进（今常州）人。好诗文书画，特善画山水。早年翰墨淋漓，晚年惜墨如金，对侄子恽寿平影响颇大。

这件《董巨遗意图轴》是恽向四十七岁时所绘送给“子羽社兄”的。此“社”应是复社，他于崇祯二年（1629）加入。至于“子羽社兄”则难以查考其姓名，有可能是太仓人黄翼圣（1596—1659）。此作为其宗法董源一路的早年之笔，描绘的是夏山雨过后云气氤氲、草木华滋的情景。虽然处处可见董、巨的元素，但笔墨内质与结构布局又都是自己的。他受时风影响自然多仿古之作，但其仿古一直以自己对古人的深刻理解与高超追求为主导，正如他在题款中所说，近世画家学董巨、吴镇而不解生疏之致，只求其密而不求其疏。在这件作品中，恽向不斤斤计较细致的皴染，而是以阔笔写意做到疏中有密，笔墨沉郁而又空灵，观之水墨氤氲不觉扑面而来，堪称为其早年艺术至精之作。纵观他早年的画作，有如此水准的极为罕见，此件毫无疑问是他的代表性精品。杜甫有诗云“元气淋漓幛犹湿，真宰上诉天应泣”，用作此画解语恰到好处。