Night Banquet of Han Xizai - Painting Core 1 - Listening to Music
Imagine being hired as an artistic spy to paint a party report for the Emperor! That’s the backstory of this masterpiece. The Southern Tang Emperor Li Yu suspected his official Han Xizai of plotting rebellion, so he sent painter Gu Hongzhong to crash the bash and document the debauchery. In this opening scene, Han Xizai (the bearded man in the tall black hat) sits amidst a lavish gathering, intently watching a woman play the pipa, successfully portraying himself as a harmless hedonist to avoid political responsibility. The entire scroll unfolds like a comic strip, revealing the party's progression through music, dance, and rest.
- Technique
- Ink and color on silk
- Material
- Silk
Location: Palace Museum, Beijing
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