Ask the Scholar

On this hanging scroll Hyakusen has depicted the Tang Dynasty Chinese poet Li Bo (701–762) seated in a bamboo chair with an attendant who is pouring wine from a ceramic ewer. The poet is depicted with an open robe and crossed legs as he leans back in his chair. His left arm falls limp, while his right hand supports his wine cup. The expression on his face is one of drunken repose in the heat of a summer night. Hyakusen's technique combines wet ink strokes of various tones with thin crisp lines that serve to delineate the poet's robes, whiskers, and bare skin. Inscribed on the work are the date of its execution, winter 1750, and Hyakusen's name. This is accompanied by four red seals. The first two seals are common on several of Hyakusen's paintings; they identify the artist and his studio. The lower seals are more unusual but are documented through their presence on other authentic works by Hyakusen.