Parting at the Gate of the Capital

Description

This handscroll captures a goodbye. Along the riverbank, a boatman poised with paddle in hand stands tall in anticipation of launching. Nearby, scholars wearing black hats linger over their departure. Within the thatched pavilion, two servants diligently pack up the remains of a farewell party. In ancient China, a handscroll would be viewed by unrolling it in segments, one arm’s length at a time, from right to left. This handscroll would thus gradually reveal the travelers and the distant landscape, creating the effect of sending them off.

Parting at the Gate of the Capital

Yao Shou

Ming dynasty (1369–1644), 15th century

Accession Number

36597

Medium

Handscroll; ink and color on paper

Dimensions

53.4 × 461.1 cm (21 × 181 1/2 in.)

Classification

handscroll

Museum

The Art Institute of Chicago

Chicago, United States

Credit Line

Gift of Alice Boney