Early Spring

Early Spring depicts a mountain landscape awakening from winter, with bare trees beginning to bud and mist clearing to reveal rocky peaks. Painted in 1072 CE by Guo Xi, this silk scroll represents the philosophical approach to landscape that defined Northern Song dynasty art. The composition creates a journey through the scene, from foreground temples to distant peaks.

Guo Xi served as court painter and wrote influential treatises on landscape painting. He believed painters should capture the spiritual essence of mountains rather than merely copying their appearance. The "dragon veins" of rock formations twist organically through the composition, creating visual pathways that guide the eye. Careful attention to seasonal indicators, like early spring foliage, demonstrates the philosophical belief that painting should reflect nature's cycles.

The scroll is a National Treasure at the National Palace Museum in Taipei.