Artwork Page for Scholar Playing a Qin

Details / Information for Scholar Playing a Qin

Scholar Playing a Qin

거문고 타는 인물 [月下彈琴圖]

1800s

Korea, Joseon dynasty

(1392–1910)
Medium
album leaf; ink and color on silk
Measurements
Painting only: 23.5 x 23.8 cm (9 1/4 x 9 3/8 in.); Overall: 26.5 x 26.5 cm (10 7/16 x 10 7/16 in.)
Credit Line
John L. Severance Fund 1990.69
Public Domain
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Location
Not on view
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Did You Know?

The Korean zither with six strings, depicted in this painting, was often played by men.

Description

The painting invites viewers to an intimate qin, or zither, recital in the cool breezy night under the moon. The musician at the center gently strums the strings, while his servant boy is drowsing, without realizing the tea pot is steaming. In older times, playing a musical instrument was considered an effective way to cultivate one's spiritual and mental balance.
A square ink and color painting on textured silk depicts a bearded scholar in light blue robes playing a long zither atop a woven mat. Above him, a gnarled pine tree curves beneath a pale, circular moon. To our left, a smaller servant figure dozes beside a steaming kettle. Muted greens and browns define the landscape, with delicate, dark brushstrokes forming reeds along the foreground's edge.

Scholar Playing a Qin

1800s

Korea, Joseon dynasty (1392–1910)

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