Letter to Yao Zhi

Wen Jia

An item at Metropolitan Museum of Art

In this letter, Wen Jia thanks his recently departed guest, Yao Zhi, for visiting the day before, and he expresses hope that the subsequent rainstorm did not cause Yao too much trouble. When they met, the two men must have discussed an exchange of art objects, because Wen teasingly continues the negotiations, asking for a little more than previously agreed upon. According to the text of Wen’s letter, it was delivered to Yao by personal messenger dispatched after the visit.

Asian Art

An exhibit at Metropolitan Museum of Art

The Met's collection of Asian art—more than 35,000 objects, ranging in date from the third millennium B.C. to the twenty-first century—is one of the largest and most comprehensive in the world. Each of the many civilizations of Asia is represented by outstanding works, providing an unrivaled experience of the artistic traditions of nearly half the world.

Metropolitan Museum of Art