Cho, New York, NY (until 1959); then Katharine Holden Thayer (1898–1985), Gates Mills, Ohio, who gave it to the Cleveland Museum of Art in 1959; it has remained in the museum since.
Buddhist Retreat by Stream and Mountains shows how a quiet life close to nature can bring peace of mind. The painting was made by the monk Juran between 960 and 985, and it shows one huge mountain that fills almost the whole tall scroll. The mountain is so big and strong that it makes us feel how small people are compared to nature. At the bottom, a stream flows gently past the foothills, and this slow movement invites the eye to travel upward, step by step, like a person walking toward a place of rest. The title tells us this is a Buddhist retreat, a place away from noise and busy life, where a monk can think and meditate. Juran painted the rocks with long, soft brush strokes and added wet dots and round boulders, which gives the mountain a calm and gentle feeling instead of a harsh one. These soft touches come from the southern style he learned from his teacher Dong Yuan, while the tall and powerful mountain reflects the grand style of the north, where Juran moved after the Southern Tang fell. Together, they show a peaceful spirit inside a strong and noble landscape. The scroll was given to the Cleveland Museum of Art in 1959 by Katharine Holden Thayer. It reminds us that real calm does not come from wealth or fame, but from living simply and staying close to nature.
The art work shows a sign of peace, made with soft brushing technique. Should mention the place from where it was, means where the painting from or what is cultural aspect.
