Visiting Dai Kui on a Snowy Night 雪夜訪戴圖
Ming dynasty (1368–1644), 15th century
Medium
Hanging scroll; ink and colors on silk
Dimensions
195.6 × 101.6 cm (77 × 30 in.)
Classification
hanging scroll
Department
Arts of Asia
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
13954
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
This scene depicts the legendary story of Wang Huizhi (d. 388), the eccentric son of one of China’s most renowned calligraphers. As the fifth-century text New Account of Tales of the World (Shishuo xinyu) describes, Wang awoke in the midst of a snowy night and, inspired by a glass of wine, recalled the poem “Summons to a Retired Gentleman.” He then impulsively set out in a small boat to visit his reclusive friend Dai Kui. Upon arriving at Dai’s gate, however, Wang left without entering. Asked to...