"Sailing by the Shore" by Hongren (1610–1664) exemplifies the literati painting tradition of the late Ming and early Qing periods, rendered in ink on the luxurious ground of gold paper. The fan leaf format, a favored vehicle for accomplished scholars and artists, showcases Hongren's mastery of atmospheric perspective and delicate brushwork in depicting a contemplative waterside scene. The gold paper ground enhances the work's luminosity while the restrained palette of ink tones creates subtle tonal variations characteristic of the Anhui school of painting to which Hongren belonged.