Poet Li Bai Strolling (also known as Li Bai Reciting a Poem)

The Poet Li Bai Strolling (or Li Bai Reciting a Poem) is the work of the Southern Song dynasty court painter Liang Kai, created in the 13th century. It is one of the masterpieces of Chinese Zen-influenced monochrome ink painting tradition. The image was created using the jianbi (abbreviated brush) technique, which is characterized by the simplicity of means of expression. Unlike traditional realistic portraits common in the imperial court, Liang Kai did not seek to depict the exact likeness of the subject. Instead, he tried to capture the inner essence and spirit (xieyi). The painting portrays a Tang dynasty-era poet Li Bai walking in profile, leaning slightly forwards and looking up sideways with slightly parted lips, as if whispering or reciting something to himself. The trailing part of the costume is rendered in long, barely visible brushstrokes, whereas the folds around the feet are short and angular in order to suggest the impression of motion and give lightness to the figure. The image of the poet’s frayed sleeve is constructed from overlapping washes of diluted ink in different concentrations, simulating the soft folds of the fabric moved by a cool evening wind. Liang Kai also used shading to define the shape of the front part of the chest, giving the impression of a glowing white surface, while suggesting the presence of shadows and, hence, the presence of light. This allows one to assume that the portrayed figure is in the open air on a cloudy night. The image barely occupies the page, leaving generous white margins around it, which creates an impression of isolation and solitude. Thus, with little means and a reduced number of strokes, the author managed to create a single, meditative composition that evokes a sense of freedom and detachment.