Pavilion on a pond

Unidentified artist

An item at Metropolitan Museum of Art

An elaborate pleasure pavilion sits on the shores of a pond. Beneath the eaves, a man is attended by servants as he sits in front of a screen; on the veranda, two men converse under a trellis by blossoming flowers. The fantastically shaped rocks, low stone bridge, and distant buildings across the water reveal that this refuge is a lavish garden: a lovingly designed simulation of nature made for human enjoyment.

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