Solitary Mountain《孤山图轴》

Wang Yuanqi (1642–1715)
Wang Yuanqi, courtesy name Maojing, and pseudonym Lutai, also known as Shi Shidaoren, was from Taicang, Jiangsu. He achieved the jinshi degree in the ninth year of Kangxi (1670) and was summoned to serve in the court for his dedication to painting. Wang Yuanqi was entrusted with compiling the “Peiwenzhai Calligraphy and Painting Manual” and rose to the position of Assistant Minister of the Ministry of Revenue. Wang Yuanqi received direct guidance from his grandfather Wang Shimin and dedicated himself to landscape painting, following the styles of Dong Qichang and his grandfather. Favored by the Kangxi Emperor, he led the artistic community, forming the “Loudong School.” Along with Wang Shimin, Wang Jian, Wang Hui, Wu Li, and Yun Shouping, he was among the “Six Masters of the Qing Dynasty,” representing the orthodox lineage of Qing dynasty landscape painting.

“Solitary Mountain” (1698)
Wang Yuanqi excelled in landscape painting, following his family’s tradition and drawing inspiration from Huang Gongwang. He favored dry brush and scorched ink, layering texture strokes with a steady hand, claiming his brush had a “diamond’s edge.” This painting depicts the scenery of Little Lonely Mountain, situated in the Yangtze River in Anhui Province, known for its strategic and picturesque location, praised by many literati. The year Wuyin corresponds to the 37th year of Kangxi (1698), when Wang Yuanqi was 57 years old. The inscription indicates the painting was created before that year. This work showcases the typical style he established after the age of fifty, with rich and clear brush and ink charm, an abundant scholarly atmosphere, and a high degree of elegance. The upper right corner bears the inscription: “While traveling on the river, I sketched Little Lonely Mountain, using the brush of Da Chi, during the winter of the year Wuyin (1698) and early winter of the year Gengchen, while in the capital, Lutai Qi.” The seals include “Sweep Flower Temple,” “Seal of Wang Yuanqi,” and “Lutai.”

王原祁（1642—1715），字茂京，号麓台，因多麻，人呼“麻石狮子”，故又自号石师道人，江苏太仓人。康熙九年（1760）进士，因专心画学被召供奉内廷，曾奉旨编纂《佩文斋书画谱》，官至户部侍郎。王原祁幼时即得祖父王时敏亲自教导，肆力于山水，承董其昌及祖父画学。又受康熙帝恩宠，领袖群伦，影响很大，形成“娄东画派”。他与王时敏、王鉴、王翚、吴历、恽寿平并称“清六家”，为清代山水画正脉。

王原祁擅画山水，继承家法，以黄公望为宗，喜用干笔焦墨，层层皴擦，用笔沉着，自称笔端有“金刚杵”。此图描绘的是小孤山风景，此山位于安徽省宿松县城东南六十多公里的长江之中，地势险要奇特，历来多受文人墨客的赞誉。戊寅即康熙三十七年（1698），时年作者五十七岁，款识中说明了绘画创作时间在此之前。从整体风格看，是他五十岁后个人典型面目确立后不久所作，笔墨意韵浑厚清润，书卷气盎然，格调颇高。

右上题款：“江行小孤山舟次写大痴笔，时戊寅冬日庚辰，小春京邸偶检出题之，麓台祁。”款上钤有朱文圆章“扫花庵”，款下钤有白文“王原祁印”、朱文“麓台”两章。