China, Ming dynasty (1368–1644) / 1542–43
Zhao Mengfu Writing the Heart (Hridaya) Sutra in Exchange for Tea
The Cleveland Museum of Art catalogs Zhao Mengfu Writing the Heart (Hridaya) Sutra in Exchange for Tea as painting (China, Ming dynasty (1368–1644) · 1542–43).
Qiu Ying was born to a peasant family, but his natural talent led him to a successful career as a professional painter with wealthy patrons.
A CLOSER LOOK
The museum identifies this painting as handscroll; ink and light color on paper and credits Qiu Ying (Chinese, 1494–1552).
The museum's collection notes: The Yuan dynasty calligrapher Zhao Mengfu (1254–1322) is said to have transcribed the Heart Sutra for a certain priest named Li in exchange for tea. Later, during the Ming dynasty, the professional painter Qiu Ying from Suzhou painted this scene for his patron. Here, Zhao Mengfu holds a brush and has a piece of paper laid out before him. On the table is an ink stone, an ink stick, and a small water dropper. Drops of water would dissolve the ink stick into liquid ink when it was ground on the flat square stone.
FOLLOW THE EVIDENCE
The Cleveland Museum of ArtZhao Mengfu Writing the Heart (Hridaya) Sutra in Exchange for TeaOriginal explanation based on the sources above. Images carry their own reuse terms.