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Hello!

This piece has been in my partner’s family for many many years. We are trying to learn anything we can about it, particularly what the text says and if there is any indication of an artist or… well… anything really!

It looks like it is done on a rice paper and was likely rolled up at one time due to the impressions of where it was rolled or folded. We are thinking it appears to tell the story of the man at the bottom making his journey through life?

Anyways, thank you in advance!!

The painting is signed as being by Deng Ruqiong, a H1 19th c. painter from Guangdong province in southern China (so he may be also known by a romanization of his name as pronounced in Cantonese, which I don't know). Here are some other landscapes attributed to him: http://www.artnet.com/artists/deng-ruqiong/

It comes with a dedication by the painter to someone who is named only with a pseudonym, so it may be difficult to discover who that person actually is. It is not dated.

He is painting in what's often called the "literati" tradition of amateur gentlemen artists, who consciously incorporated the styles of earlier artists in their own works. The mountains are textured using what's called "hemp fiber" brushstrokes, and with a little reading you can figure out that he is linking his work stylistically to Yuan painters such as Huang Gongwang through the lens of Qing orthodox landscape paintings by people such as Wang Shimin and Wang Jian. The figure on the bridge might be an extension of the artist, but part of the game is to put yourself in that figure's shoes.

The condition is not great; you may want to have it remounted, though this can be quite expensive these days outside Asia.

Thank you so much for this information! I will pass this on to the owner - much appreciated!!

Thank you so much for this information! I will pass this on to the owner - much appreciated!!

Hi again, are you able to clarify further what the H1 part means? We have not heard that term and I can’t find anything conclusive on a quick internet search. Thank you!

Sure: The painter was active during the “first half” of the 19th century

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