Natural Rock Bridge: A Ming Dynasty Masterpiece Donated to The Met

In the winter of 1556, during the Jiajing reign of the Ming dynasty, the artist Lu Zhi (1495–1576) painted Natural Rock Bridge. Executed in ink and color on paper, this hanging scroll captures the refined brushwork and poetic spirit for which Lu Zhi is celebrated. The inscription, a seven-character regulated verse signed “Baoshan, Lu Zhi,” places the work firmly in its historical moment.

Measuring over 133 cm in height, the scroll exemplifies the literati tradition of Chinese landscape painting — a balance of artistic skill and philosophical depth. The painting has been recognized not only as an aesthetic achievement but also as a cultural treasure, offering insight into Ming dynasty artistry and intellectual life.

For many years, Natural Rock Bridge was part of the Weisbrod Collection, held in New York. In 1989, Michael B. Weisbrod made the decision to donate this important work to The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. This act of philanthropy ensured that the painting would be preserved, studied, and appreciated by the public, scholars, and future generations rather than remain in private hands.

Today, the scroll remains in The Met’s collection (Accession Number 1989.371), a testament both to Lu Zhi’s genius and to Weisbrod’s enduring commitment to sharing Chinese art with the world. While not currently on view, it stands as a symbol of Weisbrod’s role not only as a dealer and collector, but also as a benefactor who has contributed meaningfully to global cultural heritage.

Through gifts such as this, Weisbrod continues a tradition of connoisseurship grounded in responsibility — ensuring that masterpieces of Chinese art reach beyond the private gallery to inspire and educate in the world’s great institutions.