Description
In the Palace depicts 13 ladies of the imperial household, three servants, and six children in fluent baimiao (plain drawing) brushwork, accentuated by color. The women entertain themselves by making music, tending children, and playing with pets. Their elaborate hairstyles, plump figures, and flowing robes are reminiscent of Tang dynasty
fashion.
The scroll illustrates elegant court life and is a direct copy of the original by Zhou Wenju (active 940–75) from Zhenjiang, Jiangsu province. Zhou was employed at the Southern Tang court in Nanjing under Emperor Li Yu (reigned 961–76), a prolific poet.
fashion.
The scroll illustrates elegant court life and is a direct copy of the original by Zhou Wenju (active 940–75) from Zhenjiang, Jiangsu province. Zhou was employed at the Southern Tang court in Nanjing under Emperor Li Yu (reigned 961–76), a prolific poet.
Provenance
Zhang Cheng 張澂 [d. 1143] (?–1143); Shen Zhou 沈周 [1427–1509] (?–1509?); (C. T. Loo & Co., New York, NY) (early 1900s); The University Museum, The University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, sold to the Cleveland Museum of Art (before 1928–1976); The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (1976–)
Accession Number
1976.1
Medium
Handscroll; ink and light color on silk
Dimensions
Painting: 28.5 x 168.6 cm (11 1/4 x 66 3/8 in.); Overall: 29.7 x 306.1 cm (11 11/16 x 120 1/2 in.)
Classification
Painting
Credit Line
John L. Severance Fund
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