Mountain Landscape in Moonlight

Painted in modulated monochrome ink washes with dark dots for foliate accents, the anonymous artist successfully suggests the dense atmosphere of a warm summer night. Under a full moon a scholar rides a mule, accompanied by a servant who carries his belongings. The poem inscribed by Chan (Zen) priest Yunfeng Miaogao identifies the figure as the Tang dynasty poet Du Fu 杜甫 (712–770).

Who rides Du [Fu]'s mule:

Through the universe his name resounds.

Chanting poems as he rides off on his mule,

How quickly does he become drunk with Heaven and Earth!