Third Sheet from a Series of Four Featuring Chinese Depictions

The inscription on this illustration reads: ‘The Peach Blossom Spring of Changshu, printed by Monk Yuanwei.’ The description conjures up the image of an idyllic paradise. Like traditional Chinese texts, the illustration is read from right to left: pilgrims embark on a spiritual journey, traverse mountains and waterfalls, and finally reach a sacred monastery temple nestled atop a mountain.