Artwork Page for In the Palace

Details / Information for In the Palace

In the Palace

宮中圖

before 1140

after a work attributed to Zhou Wenju 周文矩

(Chinese, active 942–961)
Culture
China, Southern Song dynasty (1127-1279)
Medium
Handscroll; ink and light color on silk
Measurements
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.)
Credit Line
John L. Severance Fund 1976.1
Public Domain
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Location
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Did You Know?

The ladies' elaborate hairstyles, plump figures, and flowing robes are reminiscent of Tang dynasty fashion.

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.
A handscroll in black ink features Chinese text on the left third while women and children in finely outlined, heavily draped robes engage in various activities on the right. Only their hair, pulled in buns on top of or either side of their heads are fully filled with dark ink. Their lips and wraps in their hair are detailed with pink-red. From our left to our right, they play with pets, surround children, and play instruments.

In the Palace

before 1140

Zhou Wenju

(Chinese, active 942–961)
China, Southern Song dynasty (1127-1279)

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