The Orchid Pavilion Gathering
Date1732, color added 1739
Maker
Chen Fu
Chinese, active 1730s
Label TextFeaturing the most celebrated literati gatherings in Chinese history, where the Sage of Calligraphy Wang Xizhi (303-361) was said to have composed the Preface to the Lanting Pavilion, this painting shows a group of scholars engaging in various lofty pursuits. Wine is delivered on the river, to be enjoyed by the relaxed scholars. In this dense composition, Chen positions most figures along the river and shows a more expansive view than the format can normally accommodate. The inscription on the upper left is Chen's copy of the "Preface to the Lanting Pavilion".
Object number52.138
ProvenanceHoward C. Hollis
Photo CreditPhoto: Elizabeth Mann
Exhibition HistorySeattle, Washington, Seattle Asian Art Museum, Chinese Art: A Seattle Perspective, Dec. 22, 2007 - July 26, 2009.
Tokyo, Japan, Suntory Museum of Art, Luminous Jewels: Masterpieces of Asian Art From the Seattle Art Museum, July 25 - Sept. 6, 2009 (Kobe, Japan, Kobe City Museum, Sept. 19 - Dec. 6, 2009; Kofu, Japan, Yamanashi Prefectural Museum of Art, Dec. 23, 2009 - Feb. 28, 2010; Atami, Japan, MOA Museum of Art, Mar. 13 - May 9, 2010; Fukuoka, Japan, Fukuoka Art Museum, May 23 - July 19, 2010).
Seattle, Washington, Seattle Asian Art Museum, Terratopia: The Chinese Landscape in Painting and Film, July 2, 2016 - Feb. 26, 2017.
Published ReferencesKawai, Masatomo, Yasuhiro Nishioka, Yukiko Sirahara, editors, "Luminous Jewels: Masterpieces of Asian Art From the Seattle Art Museum", 2009, The Yomiuri Shimbun, catalogue number 87Credit LineEugene Fuller Memorial Collection
DimensionsOverall: 13 1/4 x 25 7/8 in. (33.7 x 65.8 cm)
MediumInk and color on paper
Gui Fu
late 18th to early 19th century
Object number: 2013.12
log in
