Portrait of An Qi1715 · Study 1971.17

Context from the museum

An Qi, the subject of the portrait, was a second-generation salt merchant from Korea. He used part of his wealth to collect art. At the time this painting was commissioned, An was less than 40 years old. He is represented as a Daoist recluse in nature, informally dressed with attributes such as books and a wrapped guqin instrument, a portrait convention for literati-scholars since the Six Dynasties period (220–589 CE). The local Taihu rock, banana plants, and crane suggest a southern garden and a life in seclusion. An’s portrait is evidence of merchants aspiring to the scholar-official class. According to the inscription, this painting was the joint effort of three men, the eldest and most famous was Wang Hui. While the garden setting is homogenous in style, it contrasts with the application of opaque pigments and shading employed for the depiction of An Qi’s face.

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

A detail to notice

Seven of An Qi's close friends wrote poetic inscriptions on the silk brocade mount around his portrait.

Observation supplied by the Cleveland Museum of Art.

Read the dimensions before the image

The selected image measurement for Portrait of An Qi is 53.6 cm wide and 122 cm high, equivalent to approximately 21.1 × 48.0 inches. Dividing width by height gives a format ratio of 0.44:1. The rectangular bounding area is 0.65 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 17.9% of the span before adding a frame. A centered placement leaves approximately 123.2 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 Portrait of An Qi 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 and color on paper, in your notes when comparing contemporary works.

• Which part of this vertical composition catches your eye first?
• Would a 53.6 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?