The exhibition explores the moods of seasonal landscapes and related motifs
The exhibition will explore the seasonal themes and activities that frequently appear in Chinese painting such as wandering in nature, visiting friends and composing poetry. The works also depict the unique moods and feelings associated with each season. "In the traditional Chinese approach to landscape painting, seasons inspire unique emotions, such as happiness and elation in spring, peaceful contentment in summer, melancholy and solemnity in autumn and quiet contemplation in winter," said Stephen Allee, research specialist in Chinese art at the Freer and Sackler galleries. To allow Chinese voices to inform the interpretation of the works, the exhibition will also feature numerous translations of inscriptions, colophons and other directly related poems and texts.