Gu Yun

Gu Yun was an artist active across the mid-to-late 19th century, with his documented artistic output spanning the period between 1835 and 1894. Though biographical details remain sparse, the surviving body of work indicates a focus on traditional East Asian subjects, primarily landscape and figures.

Gu Yun's work is represented by seven paintings preserved in museum collections, confirming the artist’s standing. The titles of these Gu Yun paintings reflect a dedication to established historical genres, exemplified by compositions such as Landscape and Clouds and Spring Trees at Dusk. Furthermore, the existence of works titled Landscape in the style of Ma Wan demonstrates the artist’s engagement with specific historical precedents and reverence for earlier masters. Other notable compositions include Moored at the West Cliff and Huaisu in the Banana Grove.

The quality and importance of the artist’s oeuvre are underscored by institutional holdings; several of Gu Yun’s works are preserved in the permanent collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The accessibility of these museum-quality pieces means they are often reproduced as high-quality prints for study and appreciation today.