Tu Chin (15th century), Ming Dynasty

Original: Hanging scroll, ink and color on silk, 126.1x187 cm.

Tu Chin was a native of Kiangsu. His style name was Chu-nan; his sobriquets were Ch'eng-chu and Ku-k'uang. He often called himself Ch'ing-hsia t'ing-ch'ang. At the beginning of the Ch'eng-hua period (1465-1487), he took the examinations for the chin-shih degree, but failed. He was well-versed in both poetry and belles-lettres as well as philology; and in painting excelled at figures, architecture, birds and flowers.

This painting depicts a gathering of scholars for the enjoyment of studying antiquities. The brushwork is refined and firm, the colors elegant. Especially fine is the calligraphy of the artist's signature.