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Brilliant Collection

Ancient painting captures harvest scene in summer

Updated: Jun 5, 2025 www.chinaservicesinfo.com Print

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*Yinzhen Plowing and Weaving Album: Harvest Scene*, ink and color on silk, Qing Dynasty, from the collection of the Palace Museum [Photo/Palace Museum official website]

Grain in Ear (mang zhong, Chinese: 芒种), the third solar term of summer, has arrived — ushering in a season of both golden harvests and new plantings.

Just like in a Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) painting from the Palace Museum Yinzhen Plowing and Weaving Album: Harvest Scene, Prince Yinzhen (later Emperor Yongzheng, r. 1723-1735), dressed as a farmer, leads the reaping of wheat. The scene radiates the dignity of labor and the timeless rhythm of agrarian life.