Painters of the Ch'ing Court
Ch'ing Dynasty (1644-1911)
Framed 18"x24"                                                                           ( Original is Color and Ink on Silk; size: 69"x37" , Wallscroll )

This set of twelve paintings depicts, with a spicing of imagination, activities which typify each month of the lunar calendar. It bears no signatures but is plainly a work of the Ch'ing dynasty academy. Judging from the style it is a collaborative effort by painter T'ang Tai, Ting Kuan-p'eng and other painters of the Ch'ien-lung court (1736-1796).

Apricot blossoms fill the picture, People of all ages are busy at their tasks : the old practice calligraphy while the young amuse themselves with lesser occupations. In the Ladies' quarters the occupants are busy with embroidery or playing with the children ; others play on the swings. The men go out to hunt in the country. Carrying weapons and gesticulating with their whips, they are obviously making the most of their outing.