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Xia Gui: Catalogue of the 2 Most Famous Paintings
Updated oktoober 2026 · ranked by our popularity score (searches, visits and orders for each work) · 2 works by Xia Gui in our catalogue
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Twelve Views of Landscape (Shan-shui shih-erh-ching) is recorded as the most famous painting of Xia Gui; it is held by the Nelson-Atkinsi kunstimuuseum, Kansas City. Of the 2 works by Xia Gui recorded in the catalogue, the 2 best known are listed below, each entry with its date, the holding museum and a note on the work.
1195 – 1224, Hangzhou
Most works: Nelson-Atkinsi kunstimuuseum
Entries 1 to 10: the most famous Xia Gui paintings
Xia Gui: holding museums
The 2 museums that hold the most of the paintings on this page.
| Museum | City | Works by Xia Gui | Paintings from this list |
|---|---|---|---|
 Nelson-Atkinsi kunstimuuseum |
Kansas City | 1 | Twelve Views of Landscape (Shan-shui shih-erh-ching) |
 National Palace Museum |
Taipei | 1 | Pure and Remote View of Streams and Mountains |
Questions frequently consulted on Xia Gui's paintings
What is the best-known work of Xia Gui?Display the answer
Twelve Views of Landscape (Shan-shui shih-erh-ching).
How many works by Xia Gui does the catalogue record?Display the answer
The catalogue records 2 works by Xia Gui.
Where are the principal works of Xia Gui held?Display the answer
Principally in Nelson-Atkinsi kunstimuuseum (Kansas City) and National Palace Museum (Taipei). The museum table above gives the full distribution.
Can reproductions of Xia Gui's works be ordered?Display the answer
Yes. Each work listed on this page can be ordered from its own entry as a hand-painted oil reproduction or a fine art print, in a size of your choice.
Biography of Xia Gui
The Legacy of the Ma-Xia School
Xia Gui was a Chinese landscape painter of the Song dynasty, most likely born in Hangzhou, People's Republic of China. Alongside his contemporary Ma Yuan, he founded the influential Ma-Xia school. While much of his life remains unknown, he served in the Imperial Painting Academy during the reign of Emperor Ningzong. His artistic approach was characterized by a move away from highly detailed, complex compositions toward a more immediate and striking effect, often utilizing limited materials to achieve this impact.
His technical mastery is evident in his use of extremely subtle, graded ink washes and overlapping brushstrokes to create atmospheric effects of mist, sky, and infinity. He was noted for his ability to work with great ease and speed, often producing spontaneous creations on paper that absorbed ink quickly. Furthermore, Xia Gui was praised for his skill in drawing architecture freehand without the use of a ruler.
Notable Works and Artistic Style
The surviving works of Xia Gui include various genres, such as small album leaves and hand scrolls. His technique often featured perfectly balanced diagonal compositions where void and solid mass played equally important roles. Notable examples of his work include:
His influence extended far beyond his own era, impacting the Japanese master Sesshū Tōyō, who was influenced by Xia's idiom and made studies of his landscape fans.