White Clouds and Red Trees

Inscriptions

Artist's inscription, signature, and seal: White clouds surround red trees; Mist has already returned to the valley. Why not rest and let your mind be at peace with the world. With solidarity ch'in [lute] sit in the river pavilion. An old friend is expected but doesn't show up; The day is cold, with maple leaves falling. In the wu-shen year [1788], Erh-ch'iao shan-jen, Li Chien copies and inscribes. [seal] Li Chien Chih yin. trans. HK/LYSL

Provenance

Shogoro Yabumoto Shogoro Yabumoto

Exhibition history

Year in Review: 1972. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (organizer) (February 27-March 18, 1973). Eight Dynasties of Chinese Painting. The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art (November 7, 1980-January 4, 1981); The Cleveland Museum of Art (February 11-March 29, 1981); Tokyo National Museum (October 4-November 17, 1982).

Quick Overview

Artist: Li Jian (Chinese, active second half of the 1700s)
Date: 1788
Medium: hanging scroll; ink and color on silk
Dimensions: Overall: 126.2 x 52.7 cm (49 11/16 x 20 3/4 in.)
Type: Painting
Classification: Painting
Department: Chinese Art
Credit line: Purchase from the J. H. Wade Fund
Accession no.: 1972.42

Data retrieved from the Cleveland Museum of Art on October 8, 2026. The museum may have updated its record since.