据程嘉燧跋文无法判断董其昌《山居图》纪年

Inscription by Cheng Jiasui and the Date of Dong Qichang's Dwelling in Mountains

董其昌《山居图》被认为是其现存最早的一幅作品,一般认为创作年份为1582-1583年之间,主要证据来自图上程嘉燧的题跋。但结合"初上第"一语和董其昌科举经历判断,此图至少应为万历十七年(1589)之后的作品,"视仿北宋"也明确暗示是董其昌入京接触宋代传统之后的画风;跋文中"壬午"、"癸未"两个纪年难以确解,"设色精工"更是无据可依。事实上这幅作品既有着明显黄子久风格,又显董氏中期画风直皴法特征之端倪。程嘉燧跋文内容本身包含无法解释的矛盾,提示我们在利用画跋作为作品纪年证据进行研究时,无论是自跋还是他跋都应慎之又慎。

Dwelling in Mountains [山居图] is believed to be the earliest extant work by Dong Qichang. Based on Cheng Jiasui＇ s inscription, scholars often date this painting to 1582-1583. Nevertheless, according to ＂first passed the examination＂ [初上第] in the inscription and Dong＇ s involvement in imperial examinations, this painting should be dated to after 1589. ＂Imitating the Northern Song＂ [视仿北宋] clearly indicates that the style was developed after Dong was exposed to Song painting traditions in Beijing. The two dates ＂壬午＂ and ＂癸未＂ and the comment ＂refined colour＂ [设色精工] seem problematic. In fact, this painting shows clear Huang Zijiu （Huang Gongwang） style and signs of zhicun [直皴] painting technique that is characteristic of Dong＇ s middle career. The unexplainable contradictions in Cheng＇ s inscription remind researchers of the risks of dating a painting by its inscriptions.