The Nine Elders of Fragrant Hill

Object Details

• Artist

  Formerly attributed to Ma Xingzu (active ca. 1131-1162)

• Label

  This handscroll depicts a party hosted on May 1, 845, by the poet Bai Juyi (772-846) for his friends at his garden estate on Fragrant Hill outside the capital of Luoyang. Shortly afterwards, the group formed a seniors' club, which inspired social gatherings of elderly scholars for more than a thousand years. In this section of the scroll, the tipsily dancing figure wearing a crown of leaves may portray the poet Bai Juyi, who is welcoming his guests. The figures are portrayed in a densely planted, rocky landscape, where old pine trees both create a sense of space and frame the figures as they amuse themselves in their cultivated surroundings.

• Collection

  Freer Gallery of Art Collection

• Exhibition History

  Looking Out, Looking In: Art in Late Imperial China (October 14, 2017 - ongoing)

  Setting the Bar: Arts of the Song dynasty (October 14, 2017 - ongoing)

  East of Eden: Gardens in Asian Art (February 24 to May 13, 2007)

  Chinese Gardens in Painters Imagination (February 1, 1997 to January 4, 1998)

  Chinese Gardens in the Painter's Imagination (January 13, 1997 to January 5, 1998)

  Chinese Paintings: Recent Accessions (March 2 to August 2, 1984)

• Origin

  China

• Credit Line

  Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment

• Type

  Painting

• On View

  Freer Gallery 15: Setting the Bar: Arts of the Song Dynasty

• Restrictions and Rights

  Usage Conditions Apply

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Keep Exploring

• Related Resources

  collections.si.edu

• Date

  1100s, 1200s

• Name

  Ma, Xingzu

• Place

  China

• Topic

  Pine tree, Rites and ceremonies, Art, Scholar, Waterfalls, Chinese Art, Southern Song dynasty (1127 - 1279), Go (Game), Bamboo

• Culture

  Chinese

• Object Type

  Paintings

• On View

  Yes