The Ninth Day Literary Gathering at Xing’an [Temporary Retreat]1743 · Study 1979.72

Context from the museum

By the 1700s, Yangzhou was flourishing both economically and culturally as the most prosperous city in China, having surpassed all other Jiangnan cities in their creation of gardens. This group portrait commemorates a literary gathering in the private garden of the salt merchants and art patrons Ma Yueguan (1688–1755) and his brother Ma Yuelu (1697–after 1766) in Yangzhou. Ma Yueguan received imperial recognition for providing financial aid and food relief for those affected by flood and drought. Ma Yueguan is seen seated at the end of the painting holding an open scroll while Ma Yuelu stands behind the qin instrument player. Among the guests were officials, scholars, poets, painters, and merchants, a mix of local members of a poetry club reflecting increasing social diversity.

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

A detail to notice

The two hosts and their fourteen guests were all officials, scholars, poets, painters, and salt merchants.

Observation supplied by the Cleveland Museum of Art.

Read the dimensions before the image

The selected image measurement for The Ninth Day Literary Gathering at Xing’an [Temporary Retreat] is 201.2 cm wide and 32.4 cm high, equivalent to approximately 79.2 × 12.8 inches. Dividing width by height gives a format ratio of 6.21:1. The rectangular bounding area is 0.65 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 67.1% of the span before adding a frame. A centered placement leaves approximately 49.4 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 The Ninth Day Literary Gathering at Xing’an [Temporary Retreat] in view, identify one feature you can point to, then distinguish what the museum records from your personal response. Keep its medium, Handscroll; ink and color on silk, in your notes when comparing contemporary works.

• Which part of this horizontal composition catches your eye first?
• Would a 201.2 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?