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The Spring Dawn in the Han Palace was Painted by Qiu Ying of the Ming dynasty (16th century), Spring Morning in the Han Palace is a monumental handscroll depicting an idealized vision of courtly life during the Han dynasty. The scene unfolds in a lavish palace complex, capturing over 100 palace ladies engaged in elegant activities at dawn:

• Morning Rituals: Women groom their hair, adjust jewelry, and dress in intricately patterned robes.
• Leisure and Artistry: Musicians play the pipa and guqin, scholars paint or compose poetry, and groups play chess or embroider.
• Nature Interplay: Ladies gather blossoms, tend peacocks, and stroll through gardens adorned with blooming trees and rockeries.

The painting blends architectural grandeur (towering pavilions, carved railings) with delicate details like fluttering curtains and gossamer fabrics. Despite its Han dynasty theme, it reflects Ming-era aesthetics, merging historical imagination with technical mastery in “gongbi” (meticulous brushwork) and vibrant mineral pigments.

Significance:

• A pinnacle of Ming “palace beauty” (gongting meiren) painting.
• Symbolizes harmony between humanity, art, and nature in imperial culture.
• Housed in the National Palace Museum, Taipei.