Gazing into Nature: Early Chinese Painting

June 5–October 20, 2013

We are delighted to present, for the first time in ten years, a selection of BAMPFA's earliest Chinese paintings. These rare works by twelfth- to fifteenth-century landscape and bird-and-flower painters demonstrate the sophistication and accomplishment of the early Chinese painting tradition.

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  • Ma Yuan: Plum Tree and Ducks by a Stream, c. 1190–1230; ink and colors on silk; 31 1/2 x 18 1/2 in.; University of California, Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive; purchase made possible through a gift from an anonymous donor.

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  • Selected
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Selected Exhibition Objects

  • Painting

    Plum Tree and Ducks by a Stream

    Ma Yuan

    1201-1234
    Hanging scroll: ink and colors on silk
    Image: 31 1/2 x 18 1/2 in.
    University of California, Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive; Purchased made possible through a gift from an anonymous donor
    2000.29

  • Painting

    Grapes

    Wen Jih-kuan (Wen Riguan)

    13th century
    handscroll mounted as hanging scroll: ink on paper
    Image: 12 5/16 x 32 1/2 in.
    University of California, Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive; Purchase made possible through a gift from an anonymous donor
    2000.28

  • Painting

    Fish and Water Plants (in the tradition of Miu Fu (15th c.))

    Unknown (China)

    15th century
    Hanging scroll: ink and color on paper
    27 x 14 1/4 in.
    University of California, Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive; Purchase made possible through a gift from an anonymous donor
    2002.1.5

  • Painting

    Wind and Snow in the Fir-pines

    Guo Min

    1234-1300
    Hanging scroll; ink and light color on silk
    Image: 49 1/4 x 22 3/4 in.
    University of California, Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive; Purchase made possible by gifts from Jane Lurie and Nancy Chew, through the donations of Albert A. M. Bender, Mrs. Anson S. Blake, William E. Colby, the Estate of Sallie Frances Devine, Arthur F. Landeson and the proceeds of the 1998 Asian Art and Fumpon Sale.
    1999.24

  • Painting

    The Pleasures of Fishermen

    Wu Wei

    15th century
    handscroll: ink and light color on paper
    10 3/4 x 87 7/8 in.
    University of California, Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive; Private collection
    CM.84