Painting of Noble Elegance - Main Painting
Sun Wei’s masterpiece depicts the 'Seven Sages of the Bamboo Grove,' essentially the original hipsters of ancient China who rejected society to hang out in the woods. Though this surviving fragment only shows four of the scholars, you can feel their laid-back vibe as they lounge on ornate mats amidst gnarled rocks and pine trees. These intellectuals famously preferred wine, poetry, and eccentric behavior over political corruption. Painted during the Five Dynasties period, the meticulous brushwork captures their 'lofty' attitude perfectly, showing them being attended by servants while looking effortlessly cool.
- Technique
- Ink and color on silk
- Material
- Silk
Location: Shanghai Museum