As pleasant retreats that were easily accessible, gardens were favorite locations for social gatherings of many kinds. One could entertain distinguished guests, throw elaborate or intimate parties, or relax in private with family members. |
Woodblock illustration, "Lovers' Conversation" (Ming dynasty)
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The gardens of more elegant homes afforded the residents greater total living space and flexibility in entertaining guests. The garden served as an extension of the house proper in summer, and often the architecture built within the garden portion of the family compound included habitable living quarters. These rooms could prove to be more comfortable during the hot summer months, being ideally positioned to take advantage of breezes off the central pond and surrounded by plantings of aromatic flowers and herbs. Some of the wealthier families could extend their hospitality to friends or colleagues in need of temporary lodging, and the guest, especially if he were a painter or poet, might even spend a productive year or two as an extended member of the household, providing the host with paintings, calligraphy, or serving in some literary capacity in lieu of his expenses. |
Gardens were often constructed by members of the scholar class with the intention that they would provide a hospitable location for gatherings devoted to cultivated pursuits like painting, calligraphy, and playing the zither, as well as for discussing important topics of the day. |
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What features do you think a scholar would seek to establish in a garden to distinguish himself as a person of taste and learning? What might the scholar- officials at right be doing, and why do you think are they doing it as this location?
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Woodblock print, Poetry illustration of venerable scholars (Ming)
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This image illustrates a different type of gathering in a garden. What appears to be the focus of this event? Can you tell what the occupations or social classes of the participants in this gathering are?
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Chen Hongshou (1599-1652 AD), An Elegant Gathering
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Chinese scholars have often characterized art activities as means to purify their thoughts and quiet their emotions. These pursuits were considered essential for counterbalancing the chaotic realms of social responsibility and political career. What kinds of "lofty" pursuits can you identify in the garden scene below? |
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Li Shida, Elegant Gathering in the Western Garden
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Since the time of the renowned Six Dynasties calligrapher Wang Xizhi, wine drinking has been viewed as an incentive or encouragement to creativity in the arts. Poetry gatherings were often modeled on Wang Xizhi's famous Orchid Pavilion outing, in which guests were penalized with a cup of wine for not being able to compose an impromptu poem. Literary quality was determined not only by skill with rhymes and diverse subject matter, but also with innovation and spontaneity. In the scene below, what clues might suggest whether the men are in a garden or not? |
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Wan Bangzhi, Drinking. Detail of a handscroll
Move on to Aesthetics of the Garden
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