A Journey Scroll (After Yun Benchu).
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Acrylic and Pigment on Canvas.
This scroll is based on work by the Chinese artist Yun Benchu, who lived and worked at the beginning of the Qing Dynasty. This inspiration for Journey Scroll is titled “Layered Mountains in the Autumn Afterglow” (恽本初的层峦秋霁图).
Yun Benchu’s inscription translated as follows:
“In the year of Guǐhài, I had the opportunity to travel with Mr. Lěngrán in Nanjing. So I followed in his footsteps and we set sail northward together on the same boat. In autumn, the water was calm, and we leisurely hoisted the sails, as if there were no obstacles in the world. Then I was commissioned to create this painting, which I completed in five days. This painting generally imitates the techniques of four great masters, namely Dǒng Běiyuàn, Zhào Qiānlǐ, Jùrán, and Guō Xī. However, I made slight changes to the structure, and I’m not sure if it really resembles their works. Mr. Lěngrán, as an expert in connoisseurship, will surely be able to appreciate it and give me some guidance. I have been repeatedly mocked by those who paint vulgar paintings like “Rouge Peonies”, so I’m very reluctant to show others paintings of this kind that I create. I only show my paintings to a few people, such as Liú Jìngzhòng, Wèi Zhòngxuě, and you, Mr. Lěngrán. I don’t expect others to understand, and even if they do, it doesn’t matter much. The days ahead are long. Just like Zhōng Zǐqī could understand Bóyá, I’m looking forward to finding a kindred spirit. Yùn Běnchū from the Eastern Wu region, styled Dàoshēng, respectfully records these words.”