Soughing Wind among 
Mountain Pines
Li T'ang (ca. A.D. 1049-
1130)
Sung Dynasty
Light color and ink on 
silk. Hanging scroll.
188.7 x 139.8cm
     Li T'ang was a native 
of Honan.  He served in 
the Imperial Painting 
Academy when the capital 
was in the north. When the
court moved south, he 
continued to serve, receiving
the highest honors and 
dominating the new 
Academy with his style 
until the end of the dynasty.
Deep in the valley a myriad 
pines cluster in majestic 
density against boulders 
carved and worked as if in
iron.  Sombre in spirit and
massive in form, the 
brushwork is pungent and 
inspired. Dated A.D. 1124 
and executed when the artist
was seventy-six years of 
age, this work is truly 
Li T'ang's finest extant
masterpiece.