Gems of Chinese Literature/Têng Hou-An Imperial Artist

by Têng Hou

THE old masters always had some deep meaning in their pictures, and never put brush to silk unless dominated by an idea. The Emperor Hui Tsung painted with his own hand a picture entitled “A Dream Journey to the Next World.” The inhabitants, several thousands in number, were about half the size of one’s little finger. All things in heaven and earth, and most beautifully executed, were to be found therein, cities with their suburbs, palaces, houses, banners, pennants, bells, drums, beautiful girls, souls of men (chên tsai), clouds, red glows, mists, the Milky Way, birds, cattle, dragons, and horses. Gazing at this picture makes one feel a longing to travel away into space and forget the world of men. Verily ’tis a marvellous work.