Blue-Green Landscape Created for Elderly Father《为孝翁父台作青绿山水图轴》

Wang Shimin (1592–1680)
Originally named Zanyu, with the courtesy name Xunzhi and pseudonyms Yanke and Xilu Laoren, Wang Shimin hailed from Taicang, Jiangsu. He came from a distinguished family: his grandfather, Wang Xijue, was chief minister of the Wanli Cabinet, and his father, Wang Heng, served as an editor in the Hanlin Academy. Benefiting from his family’s prominence, Wang Shimin was honored with the title Shaoqing of the Ministry of Rites, earning him the nickname “Wang Fengchang.”

Wang demonstrated exceptional artistic talent from an early age, particularly in painting. His affluent background allowed him to receive direct instruction from Dong Qichang and Chen Jiru, with Dong Qichang’s teachings leaving a lasting influence. He dedicated himself to studying and emulating the great works of the Song and Yuan dynasties, achieving mastery in brushwork and ink techniques. Wang Shimin became the leader of the “Four Wangs” and the foremost figure of the orthodox school of landscape painting in the early Qing dynasty.

“Blue-Green Landscape Created for Elderly Father” (1671)
This painting, completed when Wang Shimin was 80 years old, reflects the artist’s mature vision and technical expertise. The composition is intricately layered, progressing from near to far with winding mountain paths and sturdy peaks. The interplay of mist, flowing waters, and verdant vegetation creates a tranquil and expansive scene.

Despite suffering from eye ailments that curtailed his artistic output in his later years, this piece exhibits meticulous brushwork, a harmonious use of color, and a remarkable sense of depth. Its large scale and refined execution mark it as a masterpiece, encapsulating the serene beauty and grandeur of Wang Shimin’s landscape art.

王时敏（1592－1680）,初名赞虞，字逊之，号烟客、西庐老人等，江苏太仓人。祖父为万历内阁首辅王锡爵，父亲王衡官至翰林院编修，以祖荫官至太常少卿，故人称“王奉常”。自幼聪颖，尤在绘画上表现出特殊的天赋，更因家境优渥，得到了董其昌、陈继儒的亲授，受董其昌影响极深。他精研宋元名迹，摹古不遗余力，笔墨成就颇高，为“四王”之首，清初山水正统派的领袖。

此画作于1671年，时年王时敏已80岁。此作画面构图繁密，由近及远，山势逶迤，峰峦浑厚。山间云水弯绕，草木华滋，描绘出一派清静宏远的景象。王时敏晚年因眼疾很少作画，而该作笔法细致圆润，色墨醇厚苍茫，尺寸颇大，是其精心之作。