Wang Hui’s Snow Clearing: Landscape After Li Cheng wasn’t technically original but he couldn’t help adding his own little flair, despite was his masters told him.

Wang Hui had a job. It was a simple job. He was to copy Li Cheng’s work. But alas, Wang Hui could not. He just couldn’t help but put his two cents in despite the very clear instructions he was given. But in the end it was a good thing, because Wang Hui’s alterations of the great art that came before him made him one of the most popular artists of the time. According to Maxwell Hearn from the Met Wang Hui added “his own vigorous brushwork, giving his copies a vibrant life of their own.” 

So why did Wang Hui choose this particular work to copy inexactly? Because he enjoys a good jagged rock formation and pine tree, and Wang Hui was never one to shy from a challenge. He was the greatest of the Four Wangs afterall. This piece was intended to celebrate the beauty of nature. Ironically, Wang didn’t actually go into a natural setting to draw inspiration for the piece. He preferred to just look really closely at the original to understand its maker's spiritual essence. Honestly this just sounds like a really good excuse for not having to go outside in all of that dirt and with all of those bugs.

Wang Hui copied this work for a man by the name of Zhou Lianggong who was facing jail time for unjust charges of corruption. If this means what we think this means, this painting is a “hang in there buddy” for his incarcerated friend, which is super cute.