The Yuan Dynasty ruled China from 1279 to 1368 following the Mongol conquest. During this period, artists from the previous Song Dynasty developed individualistic styles in retreat from public life. Prominent Yuan artists included Zhao Mengfu, who painted in a style close to ancient masters, and the Four Masters - Huang Gongwang, Ni Zan, Wang Meng, and Wu Zhen - who are renowned for their landscape paintings influenced by Daoist philosophy.

1. Yuan Dynasty
元 = “First”
1279–1368

2. • Mongol conquest of China
• Yimin, “leftover citizens” of the Song
• Self conscious archaizing styles
• Retreat from public life
• Individualist styles

4. • Qian Xuan, Wang Xizhi Watching
Geese, Yuan dynasty (1279–1368), ca.
1295

5. • Wang Xizhi (Eastern Jin), Preface to the
Orchid Pavilion Manuscript, dated 353 AD
(detail)

6. • Det.

7. • Det., showing seals of artist & Qianlong
emperor (later ruler in Qing)

8. Mounted Official

9. • Twin Pines, Level Distance, Yuan
dynasty (1279–1368), ca. 1300
Zhao Mengfu

10. • Det., Right side

12. • Zhao Mengfu, Sheep and Goat, ca. 1300

13. • Zhao Mengfu, Elegant Rocks and Sparse
Trees

14. • Zhao Mengfu,
Peach Blossom
Fishing Boat,
"What I paint seems
abbreviated and
rough, but
connoisseurs realize
that it is close to the
ancients, and so
consider it beautiful."

15. • Four Anecdotes from the Life of Wang
Xizhi, ca. 1310
Zhao Mengfu

16. • Det.

18. • Late Yuan Dynasty, Four Masters
(designated during the Ming)
• Huang Gongwang, Ni Zan, Wang Meng,
Wu Zhen

19. • HUANG GONGWANG, Dwelling in the
Fuchun Mountains, Yuan dynasty, 1347-
1350. Section of a handscroll, ink on
paper, 1' 7/8" x 20' 9". National Palace
Museum, Taibei

21. • Hemp fiber

22. • Huang Gongwang (1269-1354), Dwelling
in the Fuchun Mountains, detail

23. • details

24. • Woods and Valleys of
Mount Yu, Yuan dynasty
(1279–1368), dated 1372
Ni Zan

26. • Ni Zan, Still
Streams
and Winter
Pines.

27. • Ni Zan, Wind among the
Trees on the Riverbank,
1363

31. • Ni Zan, The
Rongxi
Studio (full
scroll on R),
1373

32. • Ni Zan, Mountains of the Immortals, 1371

33. •
• EMPEROR
TAIZONG
ARRIVING AT
JIUCHENG
PALACE. ca. 1500
Ming dynasty
Traditionally
attributed to Li Sixun
, (Chinese, 651 –
718, Tang Dynasty)

34. The Emperor Ming-huang's Journey to Shu (copy) attributed to Li Zhaodao, 8th
c

35. • Wang Meng (1308-1385), The Orchid
Chamber, 1360-1380

36. • Det. Of scholars in caves from Orchid
Chamber, Wang Meng

37. Wang Meng (ca. 1309-1385), Secluded
Dwelling in the Qingbian Mountains, 1366

38. • Wang Meng
compared
to Guo Xi

40. • The Simple Retreat, Yuan
dynasty (1279–1368), ca.
1370
Wang Meng

42. • Wang Meng,
Forest Grotto
at Juqu

47. • Gu An, Zhang Shen,
and Ni Zan with an
inscription by Yang
Weizhen, Winter
Bamboo and Rock

48. • Wang Mian (1287-1359),
Ink Plum