Drinking at Night c. 1368 - 1644

Tang Yin created "Drinking at Night" using ink on paper, and we can appreciate it here at the Art Institute of Chicago. Notice the moon, a sliver of light presiding over the scene. In Chinese art, the moon is more than just a celestial body; it’s a potent symbol linked to emotions, longing, and the passage of time. Like a mirror reflecting our innermost feelings, it has haunted poets and artists for centuries. Observe how the motif of a solitary figure gazing at the moon frequently reappears. It suggests a deep connection to nature, a meditative contemplation of existence. Think of Caspar David Friedrich’s wanderers silhouetted against the moonlight. Do you see how a similar sense of introspection is present in both? Perhaps, subconsciously, the image of the moon stirs our deepest emotions. It connects us across cultures and eras, reminding us of our shared human experience. The echo of moonlight, a universal language, evokes a sense of shared sorrow and serenity.