The Thousand Buddha Hall and the Pagoda of the "Cloudy Cliff" Monastery, from Twelve Views of Tiger Hill, Suzhou

Shen Zhou’s ‘The Thousand Buddha Hall and the Pagoda of the “Cloudy Cliff” Monastery, from Twelve Views of Tiger Hill, Suzhou’ depicts a serene landscape. Created after 1490, it is part of the series ‘Twelve Views of Tiger Hill.’

The medium is album leaf; ink on paper or ink and slight color on paper. The composition captures the tranquility of the Suzhou landscape. The work’s delicate lines and washes reveal Shen Zhou’s mastery.

Shen Zhou was a key figure in the Wu School during the Ming dynasty. He is known for his literati painting style, which emphasized personal expression over formal technique.

Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, Ohio, https://clevelandart.org/art/1964.371.7