A Lodge in the Hills

Believed to be painted in 1703, A Lodge in the Hills is a Chinese hanging scroll painting, depicting a lodge in the mountains that is surrounded by trees and rocks. While much of the lodge is obscured by neighbouring trees, within its gates, a scholar can be seen kneeling before a table, positioned at the opening of the house. The painter, Wu Li (1632 - 1718), is a notable Chinese Christian artist, who, after his conversion to Christianity, spent much of his life dedicated to missionary work. He was baptised with the name Simon Xavier, and adopted the surname A Cunha when he was later ordained to priesthood in 1688. Despite adopting a Western religion, it seems that Wu Li’s paintings are free of Western influences. His paintings have already been critically acclaimed since a young age, before becoming Christian, and Wu Li himself is remembered as one of the six great masters of the Qing dynasty. In his paintings, such as A Lodge in the Hills, he uses concise, bold, and detailed brushstrokes, as well as ink washes in varying tones for a sense of depth – techniques that are characteristic of classic painting in China. His later works are acclaimed for grasping the technical quintessence of traditional Chinese painting.