Tasting Tea Made from Spring Water
Chin T'ing-piao (fl. latter half of 18th c.), Ch'ing dynasty
Hanging scroll, ink and light colors on paper, 58 x 73.8 cm

Chin T'ing-piao, a native of Chekiang Province, excelled at figure, landscape, "pai-miao" (monochrome outline), and ruled-line painting. In 1760, during the Ch'ien-lung emperor's third southern inspection tour, Chin presented an album of lohans painted in monochrome outlines. Appreciated by the emperor, Chin was summoned to the court as a painter.

This work shows a forest stream under the moon. A scholar sits leisurely on a curving tree trunk situated along the stream as he sips tea. An attendant squats on a streamside stone to get water as charcoals burn in the portable stove in a bamboo stand. The objects for brewing tea include a bamboo stove, teapot, four-level handled basket, water jar, water ladle, and tea bowl. The mottled bamboo stove stand has 4 strings knotted together for transport with a pole. The contents of the basket include items for brewing tea, such as tea leaves and charcoals. Obviously, these are objects associated with tea that were used for outings. The scholar sits alone sipping tea, apparently in deep thought.

The landscape and figures in this painting with light colors reveals Chin T'ing-piao's mature brushwork. The figure is elegant with a scholarly air, and the drapery lines are twisted and strong as mentioned in records of "snapped reed brushstrokes".
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