Gu Kaizhi, Nymph of the Luo River
This handscroll illustrates a long poem written in 222 C.E. by the poet and prince Cao Zhi (192–232). The poem describes the prince’s imaginary romantic encounter with the nymph, or goddess, of the Luo River in central China. They fall in love but eventually part with one another. The prince and the goddess are repeatedly […]
Emperor Huizong, Auspicious Cranes, Handscroll
A flock of twenty cranes fly against a blue sky, while rolling clouds encircle the roof tiles and ornaments of the city gates below. The image records an auspicious event (a sign of good fortune) witnessed over the capital city of Kaifeng in 1112, as indicated by an inscription and poem by Emperor Huizong of […]