Spring Dawn in the Han Palace

Qiu Ying (ca. 1494 - 1552, style name
Shifu, sobriquet Shizhou), was one of the Four Great Masters of the Ming
dynasty. This work represents various activities in a Han dynasty (206 BC-AD
220) palace on a spring morning. Among them is the famous story of Mao Yen-shou
painting the portrait of Wang Chao-chun. The intricate composition is rendered
with crisp and strong brushwork and beautiful colors. The lavish palace scenes
are punctuated by trees and decorative rocks, creating marvelous scenery
similar to that of immortal realms. In addition to the groups of beauties,
leisure activities of the literati, such as the zither, chess, calligraphy, and
painting as well as appreciating antiquities and planting flowers are depicted,
making it a masterpiece among Qiu Ying’s historical narrative paintings.

This work depicts an imaginary spring morning in a Han Dynasty palace, where the lovely ladies of the inner palace go about their various activities. The composition of this painting is complex, the brushwork pure and strong with beautiful yet elegant colors.

Trees and decorative rocks decorate and punctuate the garden scenery of the lavish palace architecture, creating marvelous scenery similar to that of the immortals.

In addition to portraying the loveliness of
the palace beauties, the artist Qiu Ying also
depicted their activities: some are admiring
antiques and flowers, while others are playing
musical instruments or dancing.

Plucking branches

Grass tugging game

Styling hair and applying makeup

Playing instruments

Green waist dance

Some ladies are engaged in leisure activities associated with the literati, such as playing the zither, chess, calligraphy and painting.

Playing chess and appreciating paintings

Leisurely reading

In the final section, the artist also depicts the famous story of Mao Yen-­shou painting the portrait of Wang Chao-­chun.