Listening to the Qin (Zither)1150–after 1225 · Study 1983.85

Context from the museum

Listening to the Qin recalls the story of Bo Ya, a musician who loved to play the qin (a seven-stringed zither) for Zhong Ziqi, who was a discerning listener. The cool shade of the pine trees and the incense wafting from the burner complemented the atmosphere created by the music. After Zhang died, Bo refused to play the instrument ever again. The intimate format of the album leaf focuses on the music as the key to stir the heart and soul of both player and listener.

Museum description reproduced from its CC0 open-access record. Read the original catalog entry.

A detail to notice

The three figures are painted with "nail-head and mouse-tail" brushstrokes.

Observation supplied by the Cleveland Museum of Art.

Read the dimensions before the image

The selected image measurement for Listening to the Qin (Zither) is 24.6 cm wide and 23.8 cm high, equivalent to approximately 9.7 × 9.4 inches. Dividing width by height gives a format ratio of 1.03:1. The rectangular bounding area is 0.06 square meters; it describes the measured footprint, not the amount of paint or the monetary value.

On an illustrative 300 cm wall, the recorded width occupies 8.2% of the span before adding a frame. A centered placement leaves approximately 137.7 cm on each side before adding a frame. These are calculations by Physical Art For Crypto using museum measurements. They are not the museum’s display recommendations.

Questions to bring to your own collection

With Listening to the Qin (Zither) in view, identify one feature you can point to, then distinguish what the museum records from your personal response. Keep its medium, Album leaf; ink and slight color on silk, in your notes when comparing contemporary works.

• Which part of this near-square composition catches your eye first?
• Would a 24.6 cm width still suit the space after allowing for furniture and a frame?
• What surface detail would you need to see in person or in a close photograph?