Studio in an Autumn Grove

In a thatch-roofed pavilion next to a rock by the water’s edge, two scholars sit engrossed in conversation. Behind them, an assistant fans a brazier, heating water for tea. A grove of ancient trees rises around them, the foliage a blaze of autumn colors. The mountains in the distance enclose the scholars’ moment of reclusion within a safe and placid haven. Born in Anhui, Ding Yunpeng spent formative years in Suzhou, where he became friendly with students and descendants of Wen Zhengming; this early work reflects his knowledge of the gentle palette and soft, meticulous texturing used by Wen and his followers.