(Top): Gathering at the Orchid Pavilion (detail), Ming dynasty (1368–1644), n.d., Li Zongmo, color and ink on silk. Palace Museum, Taipei (Bottom): Rubbing of Gathering at the Orchid Pavilion (detail), Ming dynasty (1368–1644), after 1602, ink rubbing on paper. Martin A. Ryerson Collection, Art Institute of Chicago

Unlock the stories behind some of the most magnificent Asian art treasures in the Art Institute of Chicago’s collection! Among the highlights is the captivating Ming-dynasty piece Rubbing of Gathering at the Orchid Pavilion — an ink rubbing made after 1602 that references the celebrated calligraphic masterpiece Preface to the Poems Collected from the Orchid Pavilion, widely regarded as the single most famous piece of calligraphy in Chinese history.

Explore how this work bridges stone-engraving and paper, tradition and innovation — and delve into many other artworks in the museum’s permanent collection that echo centuries of artistic mastery, cultural exchange, and scholarly devotion. Visit the Art Institute’s website to learn the fascinating stories behind these works and discover how each piece holds a unique place in global art history.

To learn more, click here.