Product details

Night Banquet of Han Xizai was Painted by Gu Hongzhong during the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period (10th century), The Night Revels of Han Xizai depicts a lavish night banquet hosted by the Southern Tang official Han Xizai in his residence. The scroll unfolds in five sequential scenes, capturing the revelry and subtle tensions of a politically fraught era:

1. Musical Prelude: Guests gather as musicians play the pipa (lute) and other instruments, with Han Xizai seated passively, observing the performance.
2. Dance Interlude: A dancer twirls gracefully, surrounded by clapping attendees, while Han’s expression remains contemplative.
3. Midnight Repose: Han relaxes on a couch, bathed by servants, as female musicians rest nearby—a moment of quiet amid the festivities.
4. Wind and Bamboo: Han disrobes, listening to a solo flute performance, his demeanor revealing weariness and detachment.
5. Farewell: Guests depart, and Han gestures ambiguously, symbolizing his conflicted stance toward political engagement and escapism.

The painting masterfully juxtaposes opulence with psychological depth, reflecting Han’s internal struggle amid the Southern Tang dynasty’s decline. His deliberate isolation from the merriment hints at his distrust of the court, as rumors suggest the banquet was staged to dispel suspicions of his loyalty.

Current Status: The surviving version is a Song dynasty replica, housed in the Palace Museum, Beijing.