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Guo Xi Paintings: The 2 Most Famous, Through a Gallery's Eye
Updated November 2026 · ranked by our popularity score (searches, visits and orders for each work) · 2 works by Guo Xi in our catalogue
In short
To the gallery's eye, Guo Xi's most famous painting is Early Spring (1072), whose original hangs in the National Palace Museum, Taipei. Of the 2 works by Guo Xi in our catalog, the gallery presents the 2 most famous below, each original with its year, its museum and what makes it unique.
1020 – 1090, Wen County
Most works: National Palace Museum
The gallery's top 10 Guo Xi paintings
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Old Trees, Level Distance
Old Trees, Level Distance is a handscroll created by the artist Guo Xi. This work dates to about 1080 and originated during the Northern Song dynasty. The piece is executed using ink and color on silk, a medium that allows for subtle tonal shifts across the surface of the scroll.
The museums that keep Guo Xi's originals
The 2 museums that hold the most of the paintings on this page.
| Museum | City | Works by Guo Xi | Paintings from this list |
|---|---|---|---|
 National Palace Museum |
Taipei | 1 | Early Spring |
 Metropolitan Museum of Art |
New York | 1 | Old Trees, Level Distance |
Guo Xi, the signature paintings of each year
Some ten years, from 1072 to 1080, were enough for Guo Xi: the gallery walks through them year by year, one famous original after another.
Works per year
Pick a year to see its originals.
1080
Old Trees, Level Distance
Age 60
1 work this year
Old Trees, Level Distance is a handscroll created by the artist Guo Xi. This work dates to about 1080 and originated during the Northern Song dynasty. The piece is executed using ink and color on silk, a medium that allows for subtle tonal shifts across the surface of the scroll.
Guo Xi's paintings: the gallery answers
Which Guo Xi painting is the most famous of all?Reveal the answer
Early Spring (1072).
How old was Guo Xi on completing Early Spring?Reveal the answer
52 years old: Early Spring dates from 1072, and Guo Xi was born in 1020.
How many works did Guo Xi create?Reveal the answer
Our catalog holds 2 works by Guo Xi, dated from 1072 to 1080.
Where do Guo Xi's most famous originals hang?Reveal the answer
Mostly in National Palace Museum (Taipei) and Metropolitan Museum of Art (New York). The museum table above lists them all.
Which are Guo Xi's earliest and latest famous works?Reveal the answer
On this page, the earliest is Early Spring (1072) and the latest Old Trees, Level Distance (1080).
Guo Xi: the artist
Early Life and Education
Guo Xi (郭熙), born around 1020 in Yancheng, Jiangsu Province, China, emerged from a family steeped in Confucian scholarship—a tradition that profoundly shaped his artistic sensibilities. His father was a respected official, fostering an environment where intellectual pursuits were valued alongside moral virtue. Guo Xi’s education encompassed classical studies and calligraphy, equipping him with the foundational knowledge necessary for mastering both art and literature. These formative years instilled within him a deep appreciation for harmony—a concept central to Song Dynasty aesthetics—and a meticulous attention to detail that would become hallmarks of his distinctive artistic style.The Rise of Landscape Painting
Guo Xi’s contribution to Chinese art is inextricably linked to the burgeoning landscape painting movement of the Northern Song dynasty. Unlike preceding styles which often prioritized stylized representations, Guo Xi championed a revolutionary approach—the “angle of totality,” or “floating perspective”—that sought to capture the illusion of depth and atmosphere with unprecedented realism. This technique involved layering ink washes to create subtle gradations of tone and texture, mimicking the way light interacts with mountainous terrain.Innovative Techniques and ‘Floating Perspective’
Guo Xi's breakthrough came with his pioneering exploration of “floating perspective.” Rather than depicting objects as viewed from a single vantage point, he skillfully manipulated brushstrokes to convey multiple viewpoints simultaneously. This audacious innovation challenged conventional artistic conventions and established Guo Xi as a visionary figure who anticipated developments in Western art centuries later.Notable Works: ‘Early Spring’ and Beyond
Perhaps Guo Xi's most celebrated masterpiece is “Early Spring” (春景), completed around 1072. This monumental painting exemplifies his mastery of “floating perspective,” transporting the viewer into a breathtaking vista of snow-capped peaks and verdant valleys.Legacy and Influence
Guo Xi’s influence extended far beyond his own lifetime, inspiring generations of artists who followed him. His meticulous brushwork and profound understanding of landscape aesthetics became foundational principles for subsequent painters—particularly Ma Yuan and Xia Gui—who further refined the “floating perspective” technique.His treatise, “The Lofty Message of Forest and Streams”（林泉高致）， solidified his position as a leading voice on artistic philosophy. Guo Xi’s work continues to resonate with audiences today, serving as a testament to the enduring power of Chinese landscape art and its contribution to the broader history of visual culture.