Palace Banquet[Photo provided to Chinaculture.org]

By an unidentified Chinese artist active late 10th–11th century in the Five Dynasties (907–960) or Northern Song (960–1127) Dynasty, this work is one of the earliest surviving examples of architectural renderings with ruled lines.

The painting shows women’s life in the imperial palace on the night of the seventh day of the seventh month in the Chinese lunar calendar. Traditionally, women used to decorate their homes, set out fruits, and competed in threading needles as part of the festivities celebrating the one night each year when the Herd Boy and the Weaving Maid, legendary lovers immortalized as constellations, are allowed to meet.

From an intimate view of women’s quarters of a palace, visitors can also enjoy the view of elegant rooms facing courtyards graced with trees and ponds with blossoming lotus in the painting.