Attributed to Han Kan (fl. 742-755), T'ang dynasty
Hanging scroll, ink and colors on silk, 136.8 x 48.4 cm

With no seal or signature of the artist, this work was attributed in the past to Han Kan. A native of Ta-liang (modern K'ai-feng, Honan), he is also said to be from Ch'ang-an or Lan-t'ien. Called to court in the T'ien-pao era (742-755), he studied under Ts'ao Pa and was famous for painting horses, being admired by the T'ang critic Chang Yen-yüan.

In this work of bamboo, rocks, and trees are three gibbons among branches and on a rock. Below are a black and a white steed leisurely trotting. The inscription and yü-shu ("imperial work") seal of the Northern Sung emperor Hui-tsung and "Treasure of the Ch'i-hsi Hall" seal of the Southern Sung emperor Li-tsung are spurious and later additions. All the motifs are finely rendered, though, suggesting a Southern Sung (1127-1279) date.

Tu Ch'iung (1396-1474), Ming dynasty
Hanging scroll, ink on paper, 119.8 x 55.5 cm

Tu Ch'iung (style name Yung-chia; sobriquet Lu-kuan tao-jen; also known as "Mr. Tung-yüan") was a native of Wu-hsien, Kiangsu. Versed in the Classics and well studied, he was one of the most venerated scholars in his day. He also did painting in his spare time, never seeking officialdom.

This work was done in 1468, at Tu's nominal age of 73. His old friend Chou Ting built a manor at Nan-hu, and Tu Ch'iung did this work to record a trip there to visit him. Here, the clouds light up and trees shimmer for an interesting and boundless effect. The style reveals the influence of the Yüan master Huang Kung-wang, and the elegance and smoothness with the mature brushwork throughout make this a masterpiece of literati painting.

Wen Cheng-ming (1470-1559), Ming dynasty
Album, ink (and colors) on paper, 32.5 x 53.7 cm

Wen Cheng-ming (original name Pi), a native of Soochow, was gifted at poetry, prose, calligraphy, and painting. In the latter he took Shen Chou as his teacher and became a foundation for the Wu school, often excelling at the "sketching ideas" style.

This album was done in the summer of 1533. At the invitation of Hsü Chin, Wen took respite from the summer heat at Tung-t'ing West Mountain. Happy and content, he took up the brush in high spirits to depict the beautiful flowers by his window or embellished it with exotic rocks. The blossoms, stems, and leaves were done with outlines or washes of ink, to which touches of color were added. The brushwork in the album is strong and spirited with dramatic changes for a very lively quality.

Court artists, Ch'ing dynasty (1644-1911)
Handscroll, ink and colors on silk, 51x762.8 cm

The title refers to an ancient court ritual performed in spring by the empress for silk production (including the mulberry bush) and to receive blessings. It continued into the Ch'ing dynasty, when, starting with the K'ang-hsi reign (1662-1722), it was customary to depict certain court activities.

This set of 4 scrolls represents a collaboration by 10 artists, including Lang Shih-ning (Giuseppe Castiglione), Chin K'un, and Lu Chan. The first scroll is "Visiting the Altar" (on display here), showing the empress approaching the sericulture altar for the ritual. In the next, "Sacrifices at the Altar," she performs offerings at the hall. In the third, "Picking Mulberry," she orders women to pick mulberry leaves. In the last, "Presenting Cocoons," she sits by the hall as princesses bring silk cocoons to her.