Mountain Landscape in Moonlight1200s · Study 1987.37

Context from the museum

Painted in modulated monochrome ink washes with dark dots for foliate accents, the anonymous artist successfully suggests the dense atmosphere of a warm summer night. Under a full moon a scholar rides a mule, accompanied by a servant who carries his belongings. The poem inscribed by Chan (Zen) priest Yunfeng Miaogao identifies the figure as the Tang dynasty poet Du Fu 杜甫 (712–770). Who rides Du [Fu]'s mule: Through the universe his name resounds. Chanting poems as he rides off on his mule, How quickly does he become drunk with Heaven and Earth!

Museum description reproduced from its CC0 open-access record. Read the original catalog entry.

Read the dimensions before the image

The selected image measurement for Mountain Landscape in Moonlight is 36 cm wide and 54.3 cm high, equivalent to approximately 14.2 × 21.4 inches. Dividing width by height gives a format ratio of 0.66:1. The rectangular bounding area is 0.20 square meters; it describes the measured footprint, not the amount of paint or the monetary value.

On an illustrative 300 cm wall, the recorded width occupies 12.0% of the span before adding a frame. A centered placement leaves approximately 132.0 cm on each side before adding a frame. These are calculations by Physical Art For Crypto using museum measurements. They are not the museum’s display recommendations.

Questions to bring to your own collection

With Mountain Landscape in Moonlight in view, identify one feature you can point to, then distinguish what the museum records from your personal response. Keep its medium, hanging scroll; ink on silk, in your notes when comparing contemporary works.

• Which part of this vertical composition catches your eye first?
• Would a 36 cm width still suit the space after allowing for furniture and a frame?
• What surface detail would you need to see in person or in a close photograph?