dc.description.abstract | This thesis focuses on the three paintings which represent xiu-xi activities held by Mi Wanzhong (after 1554 -1631) at Shao Garden in Beijing. The aim of this study is to outline the process of how Mi Wanzhong shapes the space culture of Shao Garden and his culture images by reconstructing the garden design and the context of paintings. First, the close relationship between Shao Garden and xiu-xi activities illustrates how Mi Wanzhong designs Shao Garden as Northern Orchid Pavilion and pursues the romantic (feng-liu) mood of xiu-xi activities at Orchid Pavilion held by Wang Xi-zhi. After finishing designing Shao Garden, Mi Wanzhong invited Wu Bin who is his intimate friend in Buddism belief to draw the first painting called “Fu-xi at the Shao Garden.” This painting emphasizes the unique Qu-shui landscape and projects Mi Wanzhong’s preferences and personal images into spatial quadrant of the garden scenery. At next step, Mi Wanzhong modified Wu Bin’s painting and drew a new one, “Xiu-xi at the Shao Garden.” Mi Wanzhong combines his images and the garden landscape more tightly than Wu Bin. Finally, Mi Wanzhong applied the copies of paintings to make the lanterns of Mi Family. It can be inferred why another painting attributed to Mi Wanzhong appears. Moreover, the production of “The Lanterns of Mi Family” not only alters the original use context of painting, but also stimulates the establishment of “Four Wonders of the Mi Family” ─ ─ Gardens, Lanterns, Rocks, Actors. Shao Garden becomes the only garden including “Four Wonders of the Mi Family.” Furthermore, “The Lanterns of Mi Family” lead to the high reputation of Shao Garden and paintings from the circle of literary spread to the public. As a result, the paintings of Shao Garden are not only the representations of the garden, but also the carrier of Mi Wanzhong’s culture images. He strengthens his idol as a unique figure in late Ming by paintings. His intentions let those paintings become the best way to understand Mi Wanzhong. This case study will help to know an outlook of gardens in Beijing City in Ming Dynasty and will offer a feasible approach to compare the agent and interaction of garden culture in the cities of both the North and the South area in late Ming. | en |