The Night Revels of Han Xizai

Gu Hongzhong was reportedly sent to spy on Han Xizai. In one version of the story, Han Xizai repeatedly missed morning audiences with Li Yu because of his revelry and needed to be shamed into dignified behavior. In another version, Han Xizai refused Li Yu's offer to become prime minister. To check Han's suitability and find out what he was doing at home, Li Yu sent Gu Hongzhong alongside another court painter, Zhou Wenju, to one of Han's night parties and depict what they saw. Each of two painters created a painting based on their observation after a night of partying. Unlike Gu's painting, the one made by Zhou was subsequently lost. ==Composition==

The painting is divided into five distinct parts and contains a seal of Shi Miyuan, a Song dynasty official. Viewed from right to left, the parts show Han Xizai listening to a pipa, striking a drum for dancers, resting, watching five female musicians playing flutes, and seeing off his guests. While in the early Tang period, musicians played sitting on floor mats, the painting shows them sitting on chairs, demonstrating the change that had occurred. Gu purposely created a somber ambiance, with none of the depicted persons smiling. ==References==