Kuo Hsi: Early Spring
Kuo Hsi (eleventh century) was a native of Wen-hsien, Honan province. His style name was Shun-fu (Ch'un-fu). He was a follower of Li Ch'eng, but while the latter had a perfect command of expressions in light ink, Kuo Hsi placed importance on the expression of space incorporating the atmosphere as well as light and darkness, thus completing a more idealized state. This painting, in which preeminent talent is inferred from the profound and exquisite brushstrokes, is an outstanding masterpiece of Northern Sung painting along with Fan K'uan's "Travellers among Mountains and Streams".

P4 Kuo Hsi: Early Spring Sung dynasty hanging scroll/ ink and light color on silk artwork : 158.3 x 108.1cm hanging scroll : 212.0 x 109.0cm 144,000yen