Fang Xun (“Fahng Sshwun”), 1736–1801 Glimpses of the Duanwu Festival Handscroll, ink and color on paper; 8.82 x 46 in. Collection of Roy and Marilyn Papp, courtesy of Phoenix Art Museum

Description
Fang Xun served as a painter in residence to the owner of the garden estate pictured in this relatively short handscroll. Two groups of figures appear among the flowing stream, dense growth, and misty atmosphere: several scholarly men in a pavilion on the left and various children near the main cottage on the right. In this rare glimpse of family life, children are playing in the garden while a mother with an infant looks on from the veranda. The occasion is the Duanwu festival, when the demon-queller Zhong Kui pictured on the hanging scroll inside the first pavilion is invoked to vanquish ghosts and goblins.

Community Response by Zhijie Qi
“Mr. Qu Yuan was a famous ancient poet and politician. His political plan was not accepted by the king, who didn’t take care of his people, only himself. Mr. Qu Yuan felt disappointed and committed suicide in the Mi Luo River. In order to memorialize Mr. Qu Yuan, the people started a festival called the Duan Wu Festival that is scheduled on May 5 in the lunar calendar. On that day, people gather to compete their dragon boats and eat a kind of special food called Zong Zi.”