Nymph of the Luo River

The classical narrative poem “Nymph of the Luo River, ” written by Cao Zhi (192–232 CE), is the subject of this elegantly brushed handscroll. The story recounts an unsuccessful love affair between a poet and a river goddess. The verse, one of the standards of Chinese literature, became a favorite subject of painters. Attached to the painted portion of this scroll is a transcription of the “Nymph of the Luo River” by the late-Ming calligrapher Gu Mengyu, dated 1654. The painting is executed in the “fine-line” technique called baimiao. Although the style demands extraordinary brush control, Wang alternated areas of dry, textured brushwork with even, wirelike lines to add a sense of spontaneity and liveliness to the composition. Only a few paintings by Wang Shanggong reside in Western collections.