Cleveland Museum of Art

Listening to the Qin (Zither)

Liu Songnian

Date

1150–after 1225

Medium

Album leaf; ink and slight color on silk

Culture

China, Southern Song dynasty (1127-1279)

Department

Chinese Art

Institution

Cleveland Museum of Art

Listening to the Qin recalls the story of Bo Ya, a musician who loved to play the qin (a seven-stringed zither) for Zhong Ziqi, who was a discerning listener. The cool shade of the pine trees and the incense wafting from the burner complemented the atmosphere created by the music. After Zhang died, Bo refused to play the instrument ever again. The intimate format of the album leaf focuses on the music as the key to stir the heart and soul of both player and listener. The three figures are painted with "nail-head and mouse-tail" brushstrokes.

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