WEN ZHENGMING (1470-1559)Landscape of LongqiuInk and light colour on paper, hanging scrollTitled and signed Zhengming, with one artist's sealPoetry hall inscribed and signed Wang Wenzhi (1730-1802), dated renzi (1792), with two sealsColophon on mounted border inscribed and signed Shudou Zhou Mengtai, dated jiawu (1834), with one seal58.4 x 28cm (23 x 11in)For further information on this lot please visit theArtist or Maker: Wen Zhengming (Chinese, 1470-1559)Provenance: Provenance:Acquired in Taipei, 1959Although undated, it is most likely Wen Zhengming painted thisposition in the 1540's, judging by the style. It was a period when the artist was prolific, his style mature. In this work the picture plane is almostpletelyposed ofpeting rock forms, with varietal trees springing from seemingly improbable crevices. A foreground path leads the viewer through theposition to a wash darkened cave, where stalactite-formed rocks hang pendant above the visitors who approach in a small boat. Although theposition is dense, it is very readable, the deftly applied washes in subdued tones giving form and depth to the scene.The physical location of Longqiu is on Mount Yandang in eastern Zhejiang province. The pool, fed by two waterfalls, is surrounded by cliffs with odd-shaped rock formations. Despite the fact that the site is nearly inaccessible, travellers have made the arduous journey to appreciate the fantastic scenery since at least the Song dynasty, as dated by inscriptions on the cliff face. Traveling to difficult destinations to take in natural wonders has been a longstanding theme of literati culture, and such journeys are intended to be read as an expression of the traveller's unencumbered spirit.For more on the site and its connection with literati paintings, see: Steven D. Owyoung, 'Viewing the Waterfall at Longqiu,' Chinese Paintings: The Saint Louis Art Museum Bulletin, The Saint Louis Art Museum: 1985, pp. 20–21文徵明　龍湫圖　淡設色紙本　立軸王文治題詩堂周夢台跋裱邊詩堂：明四家中，文畫最易得。贋者無論矣，真而不佳亦無取也。此軸乃衡山致佳之筆，雖染色稍黝，而沉厚古澹之韻，能兼宋元兩代之長。吾友花農於法書名畫另具精鑒，宜其愛翫弗置也。壬子（1792）嘉平幾望，漢陽寓齋王文治記。款識：龍湫圖。徵明作。裱邊跋：文待詔翰墨當時已極寳貴，而流傳三百年來，似莫與爭長者，以其士氣最勝也。蓋植品卓絕，攄褱冲素，故克臻此。此幅層巒叠嶂，而深厚之氣蓄之有餘。夢樓太守獨具精鑒，不輕許可，而謂為致佳之筆，信然。孫君松泉携以見示，偶為加墨，道光甲午（1834）孟夏二十有五日，書於大願舩叔斗周夢臺。鈐印：徵明印（王）王氏禹... For further information on this lot please visit the