Philosophical Taoism had a profound effect on the development of Chinese nature poetry and landscape painting. The ideal state of harmony between man and nature is often a subtext in landscape painting usually making the individual a minor element within a calm and inspiring natural setting.

The colophon accompanying this view of a scholar relaxing his feet in a mountain stream reads:

In deep seclusion the eastern wind blows fallen blossoms,

The whole river of spring water ripples with cloudy mist;

The wanderer's song has ceased and he is entirely at leisure,

Resting by an old valley pine while the sun has not yet set.

Hsieh Shih-ch'en