Astor Court
Modeled on part of the Wang Shi Yuan (Garden of the Master of the
Nets) in Suzhou, China, 12th century
40 x 59 feet
1981
Representing a scholar's garden, Astor Court provides a place of
refuge from the busy world. Based on a real garden in Suzhou, China,
it exemplifies many aspects of Chinese architecture. It consists of
an entire room, and accompanying Ming interior room furnished with
authentic period pieces. The garden court includes a walkway, moon
viewing terrace, the Cold Spring Pavillion, a pond with live goldfish
and a waterfall, and a "ling-long" peak (large rock pictured
above), among other elements.
Meditation and contemplation are encouraged by the layout and materials
used in the garden. The plaque over the round Moon Gate entrance reads
"In Search of Quietude (Tanyou)", while the plaque over
the doorway across the courtyard reads "Elegant Repose (Yashi)".
(labels) The standing rocks symbolize mountain peaks, which serve
to remind the viewer of the grandeur of nature, and possibly the Buddhists
who meditate in the mountains. The balance between yin and yang, light
and dark, opposites in harmony, helps create a feeling of peacefulness.
Fung, Stanislaus. "Garden, East Asia: China, After 1911."
The Grove Dictionary of Art Online, ed. L. Macy (Accessed 17
September 2002), <http://www.groveart.com>
The Grove Dictionary of Art Online, ed. L. Macy (Accessed
17 September 2002), <http://www.groveart.com>, "Garden,
East Asia: China, Tang (AD 618-907) and Song (AD 960-1279) periods."
Lawton, Mary S. "Suzhou [Soochow; Su-chou]." The Grove
Dictionary of Art Online, ed. L. Macy (Accessed 17 September 2002),
<http://www.groveart.com>
Metropolitan Museum of Art. Ming Garden, directed by Gene
Searchinger, written by Alfreda Murck. Equinox Films, Inc.; [Chicago]:
Home Vision, c1983. Videorecording.
Murck, Alfreda and Wen Fong. "A Chinese Garden Court: The Astor
Court at the Metropolitan Museum of Art." Reprinted from The
Metropolitan Museum of Art Bulletin, v. 38, no. 3, Winter 1980/81.
New York: Metropolitan Museum of Art.
