Pavilion of the Flying Immortal

This painting shows a pavilion atop an intricately carved stone plinth. It is based on the detailed architectural drawing (jiehua) tradition of the Northern Song, while the anchoring of the composition in one corner is a defining characteristic of Southern Song-style court art. The three characters inscribed on a plaque translate as "Pavilion of the Flying Immortal" and evoke the Daoist quest for immortality.

At lower left are three figures; one holds a bow while another holds a case containing arrows. Two large garden rocks, presumably transported from Lake Tai in eastern China, indicate the wealth and cultivation of the pavilion’s owner. Within the rock at right is a spurious signature with two tiny characters, Li Tang, a famous court artist to whom this painting was once attributed.