Mountains of the Immortals1300–1370 · Study 1997.95

Context from the museum

The landscape in deep green tones offers a view into a secluded mountain valley, populated by ancient figures surrounded by deer and cranes, all under high pine trees. A red-robed immortal in the air steers his crane toward the paradise land. This idyllic scene was presumably created amid the tumultuous transition from the Yuan to the Ming dynasty. Chen from Suzhou supported major rebel leaders, first Zhang Shicheng (1321–1367) with his base in Suzhou and then his rival Zhu Yuanzhang in Nanjing, after the latter had established the Ming dynasty. Chen was executed in 1371.

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

A detail to notice

Such blue and green landscapes often evoke nostalgia for the idealized ancient times.

Observation supplied by the Cleveland Museum of Art.

Read the dimensions before the image

The selected painting only measurement for Mountains of the Immortals is 97.3 cm wide and 33.4 cm high, equivalent to approximately 38.3 × 13.1 inches. Dividing width by height gives a format ratio of 2.91:1. The rectangular bounding area is 0.32 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 32.4% of the span before adding a frame. A centered placement leaves approximately 101.3 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 Mountains of the Immortals in view, identify one feature you can point to, then distinguish what the museum records from your personal response. Keep its medium, Handscroll; ink and color on silk, in your notes when comparing contemporary works.

• Which part of this horizontal composition catches your eye first?
• Would a 97.3 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?