First Masterpiece of Chinese Painting: The Admonitions Scroll by Shane McCausland foreword by Wen C. Fong For centuries the Admonitions handscroll has been celebrated and treasured as one of the earliest and most important works in the history of Chinese art. Strikingly beautiful, it has been compared to the Sphinx for its sense of mystery and grandeur. Traditionally attributed to Gu Kaizhi (c. 344-c. 406), the founding father of classical Chinese figure painting, it illustrates episodes from an eighty-line poem entitled "The Admonitions of the Instructress to the Court Ladies." Written in 292, the poem offers a code of ethics and etiquette addressed to the women of the imperial court, from empresses to concubines. The Admonitions handscroll displays the famous gossamer brush line historically associated with the master Gu Kaizhi. The incisive portrayals of emperors and court ladies also exemplify his renowned ability to capture the spirit of his subjects. Although it bears the hallmarks of a masterpiece, comparative evidence now suggests that it was not actually painted by Gu Kaizhi himself, but by a fifth- or sixth-century artist working in the archaic Gu Kaizhi tradition. This fascinating book guides the reader through the details of the scroll's dating, authorship, and provenance, explaining how the painting relates to Gu Kaizhi and reflects his artistic genius. New photography brings this delicate and rarely exhibited work to life, scene by scene. The author also explores the scroll's calligraphy, its history over many dynasties as it passed through the hands of collectors and connoisseurs, and its iconic status in the modern world. Based on the latest scholarship and archaeological evidence, this richly illustrated book demonstrates the enduring attraction of the Admonitions scroll for a wider audience, revealing its unique place in the history of art in China. Shane McCausland is Robert & Lisa Sainsbury Fellow at the Sainsbury Institute for the Study of Japanese Arts and Cultures in England. He was previously a Research Fellow at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York and a Visiting Scholar at the Percival David Foundation of Chinese Art. Wen C. Fong, Professor Emeritus at Princeton University, is the author of Beyond Representation: Chinese Painting and Calligraphy, 8th-14th Century, and, with James C. Y. Watt, Possessing the Past: Treasures from the National Palace Museum, Taipei. hardback, 8 1/2 x 8 1/2 in., 144 pages, 50 color illustrations, 38 in black and white ISBN 0-8076-1517-X $32.50 (Can. $49.00)