Fruiting Branch in a Vase -- Illustration from the Ten Bamboo Studio Manual of Calligraphy and Painting (Shizhuzhai shuhua pu) before 1703

Editor: Here we have Hu Zhengyan's "Fruiting Branch in a Vase" from the Ten Bamboo Studio Manual. It feels so delicate. What can you tell me about how this image functioned in its time? Curator: As part of a painting manual, this image served to standardize and disseminate artistic styles. The Ten Bamboo Studio Manual reflects a growing market for printed materials and the democratization of art education during the late Ming Dynasty. How does that affect your understanding? Editor: I see now. It's not just art; it's also a tool for cultural distribution. Thank you! Curator: Exactly! It shows us how art served a public role in shaping artistic tastes and cultural values beyond elite circles.