The Red Cliff
Wu Yuan-chih (fl. 12th 
century)
Chin Dynasty 
(A.D. 1115-1233)
Ink on paper. Handscroll. 
50.8 x 136.4cm
     Wu Yuan-chih received 
his chin-shih degree during 
the Ming-ch'ang period (A.D. 
1190-1195). His style name 
was Shan-fu. This painting 
illustrates the famous prose-
poem by Su Tung-p'o. In his 
depiction of the mountains 
and swirling water, the artist 
used a firm, wire-like line.
     Originally the painting 
was in the collection of 
Hsiang Yuan-pien (A.D.
1525-1590), who attributed 
it to Chu Jui of the Northern
Sung dynasty.  Attached to 
the  scroll  is a  copy  of
the poem written by Chao
Ping-wen. Reference to this
painting in the writings of
Yuan Hao-wen of the Chin 
dynasty has shown that it
is the work of Wu Yuan-chih.