Birds on Old Trees

The tradition of depicting groups of small birds in a landscape scene began at least as early as the Song dynasty (960–1279). Here, the small birds flocking around barren old trees create a sense of isolation and cold, evoking winter. The birds are also visually interesting, contributing to the overall composition. Zou Diguang was trained in dry brushwork and other subtle brushwork styles practiced by the educated elite. He passed the highest-level civil service examinations in 1574 and served in the imperial bureaucracy for several years. He ascended to the position of superintendent of training in Hunan and Guanzhou provinces. As an artist he is best known for his landscape paintings following the styles of the great Song dynasty painter and calligrapher Mi Fu (1051–1107) and the Yuan dynasty master Huang Gongwang (1269–1354).