On April 6, 1437, Yang Rong, a high-ranking scholar-official serving the emperor of China, invited eight important officials and dignitaries to his famous garden to view paintings and calligraphy, compose poetry, and play chess. One of these invited officials is seen above, brush in hand, poised to write a poem on the paper unrolled on the table before him. Two other guests admire a painting in the format of a hanging scroll. The servant on the left is readying another hanging scroll for viewing while two more hanging scrolls lie rolled up on the low table beside him. Yang Rong served at the court of five successive emperors, rising to the rank of grand secretary, the highest official position in the Ming dynasty court.

In this feature you will have an opportunity to look closely at and learn more about a number of Chinese paintings and calligraphies (brush writings). Just think of yourself as a guest at this party, composing a poem or taking an imaginary journey through a distant landscape by examining a painting, as these gentlemen are doing.