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Yuan dynasty Anonymous

Hunting Geese

Hunting Geese

  • Hanging scroll, ink and light colors on silk 
  • 131.8 x 93.9 cm

Surrounded by hills, a group of hunters proceeds along a path. The figure seated on the dark horse to the right appears quite majestic and is accompanied by a guard armed with a lance, suggesting a person of relatively high rank and probably the leader of the group. In this troop, someone has discovered a small flock of wild geese  flying in the sky. He has immediately drawn his bow and arrow  and is ready to let shoot. One of the others stands and looks up  with concentration, while another holds a hunting falcon , ready at any moment to let it stalk the prey. Another group of figures with horses and camels in the background behind the hill seems to be unaware of these hunters as they converse quietly  on their way.

The artist here obviously used the desolate surroundings as a backdrop for the solemn atmosphere of this painting. The limited texturing of the hills , sparse trees, and sparing brushwork all successfully create scenery typical of the northern steppes and serve as a subdued background for the tension of the scene. Recorded in a Ch'ing imperial catalogue ("Shiqubaoji "), this painting bears neither seal nor signature of the artist. Since the team here on a hunt is similar to that in "Kublai Khan Hunting" (also on this website), the artist here most likely also was a craftsman at court.

The Yuan emperors enjoyed hunting, and they repeatedly summoned artists to draw such scenes as a record. The Yuan dynasty was a period in which an especially large number of famous horse painters  appeared, which was mustache likely to be related to the preferences of the Mongol rulers. In this painting, the image of the leader  with his moustache and beard appears similar to that of Emperor Chengzong  (Temur, 1265-1307) as a middle-aged man. Based on this hypothesis, this painting was probably done in the early 14th century.

Wild geese

Wild geese
Bow and arrow:

Bow and arrow
Looks up

Looks up
Hunting falcon

Hunting falcon
Converse quietly】

Converse quietly
Texturing of the hills

Texturing of the hills
Shiqubaoji

The Qing dynasty (1644-1911) imperial catalogue Shiqubaoji, which follows Midianzhulin, was commissioned in 1744 and completed the following year. Composed of 44 chapters, it records in detail the works of painting and calligraphy in the collection of the inner court. Catalogued according to storage site and by number, the works are also categorized by format as well as artist. Outstanding works of unquestioned authenticity ranked at the top and aspects of medium, size, inscription, and seal were recorded. Authentic works of lower quality or undetermined authorship were ranked lower, and information concerning them was recorded in less detail.

leader

leader
Chengzong

Chengzong (1265-1307) is the posthumous title of the second Yuan emperor who went by the name Temur and who reigned from 1294 to 1307. After ascending the throne, he focused on national matters, limiting the power of other Mongol nobles, reducing some taxes, and instituting new laws. He also pacified the longstanding rebellion in the northwest. However, his habit of bestowing gifts and rewards led to the reduction of national reserves and subsequent inflation. Revolt also erupted in Yunnan and Guizhou after he instigated a punitive expedition against what is now the area of northern Thailand.