Layered Peaks and Splashing Waterfall: Portrait of Hua Yan as a Young Man

Layered Peaks and Splashing Waterfall: Portrait of Hua Yan as a Young Man by Hua Yan: This portrait was jointly executed by Wei Shijie…

What to notice

In Layered Peaks and Splashing Waterfall: Portrait of Hua Yan as a Young Man, start with classical, portrait, figurative. Then look closely at this museum-described detail: Hua Yan is shown here at the age of about 23.

Discover

This portrait was jointly executed by Wei Shijie and Hua Yan himself who painted the landscape in the background. Hua Yan is shown here at the age of about 23. The sword at his back is a reference to his early desire for a military career, while the scholar’s robe suggests an opposing aspiration.