Cleveland Museum of Art

In the Palace

Zhou Wenju

Date

before 1140

Medium

Handscroll; ink and light color on silk

Culture

China, Southern Song dynasty (1127-1279)

Department

Chinese Art

Institution

Cleveland Museum of Art

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

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