Su Wu Returns to the Court, Handscroll
Huang Shen
Qing Dynasty
- MEDIUM:Ink and color on paper
- FORMATS:Handscroll
- DIMENSIONS:Height 28.5 cm; Width 455 cm
Introduction
Huang Shen frequently depicted the figure of Su Wu throughout his career. This scroll was painted when he was 72 years old. From left to right, the composition is divided into three sections. The left section, Su Wu Leaving the Frontier, is rendered in light ink, evoking a sense of barrenness and desolation. The central section, Su Wu’s Journey Home, is the focal point: the white-haired, official-holding rider is Su Wu, accompanied by two tall pine trees symbolizing his integrity, resilience, and independence. In contrast to the harsh frontier, the Han territory is depicted with lush green hills and flowing waters. The right section shows a large group welcoming the returning delegation, with clothing folds rendered in Huang Shen’s cursive-inspired brushwork.
The scroll’s preface was inscribed by Huang Shen’s fellow townsman and esteemed Neo-Confucian scholar Lei Hong with the words, “All worries clear as sky.” The modern connoisseur Xu Bangda added a colophon at the end, affirming, “Undoubtedly a genuine work from the artist’s later years.”
