Guqin in Chinese Paintings

Vertical scroll Silk scroll Colored Length: 147.2cm Width: 51.3cm Preserved in the Palace Museum

The painting is created by Zhao Ji, the eighth Song Emperor (Hui Zong), who is famous for the painting of flowers and birds. Although he is also good at figure painting and landscape painting, the records of these paintings are rare. Ting Qin Tu is one of the figure paintings drew by Zhao Ji, which is very precious. In the painting, the main character is playing Guqin sitting bolt upright. Besides him, three listeners are intoxicated by the beautiful music. The four figures are depicted vividly and lively, each with a unique style.

Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368) Wang Zhenpeng Bo Ya Guqin Tu

Silk scroll inked Length: 31.4cm Width: 92cm Preserved in the Palace Museum

Wang Zhenpeng is famous for his delicate figure painting. This scroll depicts the story that Bo Ya plays Guqin for his soul mate, Zhong Ziqi. It is said that Bo Ya was born in China's Spring and Autumn period. He was extremely good at playing Guqin, and made friend with Zhong Ziqi, the only one who could understand his music. The famous tunes "Shui Xian Cao" and "Gao Shan Liu Shui", still popular today, are said to be created by Bo Ya. In the painting, the appearance and bearings of Bo Ya and Zhong Ziqi are depicted in a vivid way.