Pines and rock

Artist Bio
A renowned writer and calligrapher from the late Ming, Huang Daozhou (1585 – 1646) was demoted and transferred to Guangxi for speaking out against a secret negotiation for peace with the Qing troops. In retaliation, he resigned and later took up teaching in Fujian and Guangdong. Upon the collapse of the Ming, he joined anti-Qing movements initiated by the Southern Ming and even formed an army of volunteers with his own funds. When captured, he refused to surrender and was finally beheaded in Nanjing. Just before his execution, he painted a pine with rocks as a gift to a friend and left behind a note in blood reading “The legitimate and the righteous shall forever prevail” to his family.
Description
Huang’s art and writings, especially his paintings of pines and rocks, have widely been regarded as embodiments of integrity. This scroll in four sections depicts the pines growing at famous scenic spots on Mounts Huang, Tianmu and Tiantai. Be they towering, crouching or braving the wind, these pines serve to project the painter’s steadfastness in upholding his principles.
—Chih Lo Lou Collection, Hong Kong Museum of Art
More information
Hong Kong Museum of Art