欹松漪 The Pine, The Ripples, The Scholar

欹松漪

Artist: Li, Weisong 李巍松

Media: Chinese Painting on Silk

Size: 39 x 13 in. (100 x 34 cm)

唐代顾况有欹松漪诗一首

湛湛碧涟漪，老松欹侧卧。

悠扬绿萝影，下拂波纹破。

“高士图”是历代人物画中的重要题材，画家们喜欢描绘古代品行高尚之士超凡脱俗的气质和高雅的生活情趣，以表现对高士的仰慕或对其生活状态的追求和向往。 

画中高士泊舟崖下，欹松侧卧舟中，看湖面双鹜掠过，水上烟岚轻漫，头顶松影婆娑。画面简素清雅，空灵寂静，虽只着淡色，但笔精墨妙，工写结合。是画家对古代文人雅士生活的向往与表达。

题跋释文：湛湛碧涟漪，老松欹侧卧。悠扬绿萝影，下拂波纹破。唐人顾况欹松漪诗意图，癸卯冬月于多市。巍松

The Tang Dynasty poet Gu Kuang wrote a poem titled 欹松漪 , can be translated as "Leaning Pines and Rippling Ripples." The content is as follows:

Clear and tranquil, the azure ripples,
An old pine leans, resting on its side.
The leisurely sway of green vines' shadows,
Touches the water, breaking the waves.

Clear and tranquil, the azure ripples,
An old pine leans, resting on its side.
The leisurely sway of green vines' shadows,
Touches the water, breaking the waves.

The theme of the "Gao Shi Tu" has been an important subject in depictions of historical figures throughout various periods of art. Artists often enjoy illustrating the noble qualities and refined lifestyle of ancient scholars, portraying an admiration for their elevated character or expressing a longing and aspiration for their way of life.

In this painting, a high scholar moors his boat by the cliffs, with a leaning pine resting on the boat. Watching as two ducks skim across the lake, the mist lightly hovers over the water, and the shadows of the pines dance gracefully overhead. The composition is simple yet elegant, creating a serene and ethereal atmosphere. Although employing a subdued color palette, the artist's skillful brushwork and ink techniques result in a harmonious and expressive depiction. It represents the artist's yearning and expression of the refined lifestyle of ancient literati.