Yen Wen-kuei came from the Wu-hsing district of Chekiang, During the reign of Emperor T'ai-tsung (967-998) he was discharged from military service and started to learn painting under Ho Hui. His abilities were noticed by the academician Kao I, who then introduced him at court. Yen was then appointed an attendant in the Painting Academy. He was a capable landscapist, and also depicted figures, animals, boats and vehicles. However, he specialized in painting the four seasons. His style was refined, delicate and charming, and he was given the nickname "Master Yen the Landscapist."In this scene of lofty mountains, the distant peaks are seen emerging above the clouds, while only the very tops of the foreground mountains are visible. The method of painting mountains and trees is very similar to that found in Li T'ang's (1049-1130) handscroll "Small Scene of River and Mountains." but the rendering of the tree trunks and branches and the use of color are softer in this album leaf. "Strange Peaks and Myriad Trees" is a leaf in the album Sung-jen ho-pi hua, where it is labeled as a painting by Yen Wen-kuei.