China, attributed to Qiu Ying (1494-1552), reputedly from a set of twelve hanging scrolls collectively depicting a panoramic Daoist banquet scene in a walled mansion, only two panels in succession to form a continuous scene, one panel narrower than the others, overall panel ht. 90, wd. 22 5/8, the narrow panel wd. 11 5/8, painting ht. 73 3/4 in.

Provenance: Purchased from Samuel W. Lee & Company by William B. Van Nortwick (1911-1988) during his stay in Korea in 1951-52; sold to the present owner by the estate of William Van Nortwick in 1992 along with his residence in New York where he stayed until his death. According to the original description provided by Samuel W. Lee to Van Nortwick, the hanging scrolls were in possession of a Korean professor, who acquired it in 1925 from an old royal family of Songdo (present Kaesong North Korea). The fame of Qiu Ying was widespread even in Korea and his works were one of the most coveted items among the royals and the privileged class of Joseon Korea. Songdo, as the capital of the previous dynasty Goryeo (918-1392), was where old money and prestigious families prevailed during the Joseon period.