Shi Tao (1642–1707), also known as Yuan Ji, the Bitter Melon Monk, a revolutionary landscape painter and theorist who opposed the rigid archaism of the Four Wangs, created this landmark handscroll in the 30th year of the Kangxi reign (1691), at age 50 during his sojourn in the imperial capital. Searching Through Myriad Lofty Peaks to Sketch the Draft (ink on paper, 42.8 cm × 285.5 cm, housed in the Palace Museum, Beijing) is both a magnum opus of his mature period and a visual manifesto for his groundbreaking artistic philosophy, with his iconic self‑inscription at the front and an extended critical essay on painting appended at the end.
The handscroll unfolds in a dynamic narrative sequence: meandering streams and riverbanks give way to jagged, mist‑shrouded peaks, ancient pines clinging to precipices, quiet villages, winding paths, and boats on open waters—even a depiction of the Great Wall, a rare motif in traditional landscape painting, underscoring his commitment to learning from nature rather than copying ancient masters. Shi employs an eclectic mix of texturing techniques (including his signature mud‑dragging wet texturing (tuonidai shui cun) and dense, expressive ink dots) with extreme contrasts between dry and wet, light and heavy ink tones, creating a landscape that is both visually dramatic and emotionally resonant, brimming with raw vitality.
This work crystallizes Shi Tao’s core tenets: “Brush and ink must keep pace with the times” and “Search all lofty peaks to make drafts”, as well as his “One Brush Theory (Yi Hua Lun)” which emphasizes the unity of the artist’s mind, technique, and nature. It rejects the blind imitation of classical styles dominant in early Qing painting, advocating for direct observation of the natural world and personal creative expression. As a pivotal work bridging late Ming individualism and early Qing innovation, it profoundly influenced the Yangzhou School and modern Chinese landscape painting, cementing Shi Tao’s legacy as one of the most original and influential artists in the history of Chinese art.