Literary Gathering， a Northern Song Dynasty（960.1127） painting by Zhao Ji， ink and color on silk， 184.4cm×123.9cm， in the collection of the Palace Museum， Taipei.
Zhao Ji（1082.1136）， Emperor Huizong of the Song Dynasty， was a painter and calligrapher. He actively advocated painting art and stressed drawing from life. Also， he was skillful at flower-and-bird painting and dabbled at figure and landscape paintings. Zhao Ji played a great role in the development of painting and calligraphy in the Song Dynasty and generated far-reaching impacts. Meanwhile， he enjoyed an important position in the history of Chinese painting and calligraphy. Many of his works survive， including Lotus and Golden Pheasant， White Goose under Polygonum Orientale， Autumn Scenery among Streams and Mountains， Listening to the Qin， Literary Gathering and Homeward Boat in Snow River. He also produced many copies of pre-Song Dynasty paintings.
This painting depicts the scene of scholars’ gathering with delicate strokes. The atmosphere is quiet and elegant， while surroundings are both exquisite and practical. Participating scholars have graceful postures and different countenances.