Night Revels of Han Xizai
The artist
Gu Hongzhong, a Chinese court painter who was asked to record a lively party he had watched.
What you see
A long scroll showing a grand evening gathering with music, dancing, food, and guests relaxing in fancy rooms.
The story
The scene follows a nobleman named Han Xizai as he enjoys an evening of entertainment, told scene by scene like a comic strip.
The style
The painter used fine, careful lines and rich colors, and used screens and furniture to separate one moment from the next.
Look closer
The same host appears several times across the scroll, so you can follow him through the whole night as the party unfolds.
Where to see it
The famous version we see today is kept at the Palace Museum in Beijing, China, and is considered a national treasure.
Fun fact
The painting works a bit like an old movie, showing many moments of one evening all lined up on a single scroll.