File:Northern Qi scholars collating classic texts2.jpg

In his China: A New History (Cambridge: Belknap Press of Harvard University Press, 2006), John K. Fairbank writes:

Song, eleventh century. This painting is entitled "Scholars of the Northern Qi Dynasty Collating Texts," but the four scholars shown in this detail [the left-hand side of this painting above shown in his book] are at play as well as at work. Although the two seated on the far side of the large wooden platform have their brushes and papers in hand, the foreground pair appear to be smiling and teasing each other with pushing and pulling, while a small boy removes shoes on the right. Two maid-servants have set out cups and heaping dishes and food, but one dish has been knocked over by the playful pair. On the left edge of the platform are still more diversions—a musical instrument, the qin (zither), and equipment for competing at throwing arrows into a vase.