National Museum of Asian Art
Palace Ladies of the Cinnamon Hall and Orchid Palace
Formerly attributed to Li Gonglin (傳)李公麟 (ca. 1049-1106) · 15th century
This visually complex painting shows an exterior view of a palace harem, where the empress and imperial concubines took their leisure. Galleries and pavilions surround an artificial pond, in which two eunuchs calmly row a pair of pleasure craft past each other. In the pavilion at right, four other servants move furniture and sweep the floor, while palace ladies in elegant robes gather in small groups on the terraces of elaborate pavilions at back and left.
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