Mountain in Motion
1991
The buoyant mood of this landscape characterizes the optimistic personality of one of the most celebrated artists living in Taiwan. Born to a poor family in Hunan province, Yuan joined the army in 1948 and retreated with General Chiang Kai-shek to Taiwan in 1949. His study of ancient bronzes led him to discover an intricate relationship between ancient bronze motifs and characters. Pictorial motifs that were based on "decorative" patterns have, under his brush, attained a lyrical sensibility, which has become a trademark of his work. This painting was done in his best period, after he had recovered from cancer. The energy expressed by the rhythmic lines demonstrates Yuan's longing for and love of painting and colors, which had been suppressed too long by his serious illness.
Ink and color on paper
32 1/4 x 46 3/4 in. (81.9 x 118.7 cm)
Gift of Jan Hwang and Leo Ling in honor of Mimi Gardner Gates
2009.22
Provenance: Artist; Jan Hwang
Photo: Beth Mann
