Finding spring in ancient Chinese paintings

The words "hope", "vitality" and "new life" spring to mind when the spring season is mentioned. It is a time that starts a new circle of life with green leaves, pink, white and yellow blossoms, sweeping away the grey dust of cold winter. Rich and poor, young and old, people universally are fond of the season, including the ones in ancient times.

Many Chinese ink paintings passed down by generations feature people enjoying spring outings, or depict the beautiful seasonal creatures. Here are some classic pictures to appreciate.

Painting of Lady of Guoguo on a Spring Outing
By Zhang Xuan, the Tang Dynasty (618-907)

The painting features the sister of the legendary concubine Yang Yuhuan, Lady of Guoguo enjoy riding in spring with her family and servants. As the women in the Tang Dynasty had more freedom and were very independent, they wore men's clothes and enjoyed men's sports.

Guess who's Lady of Guoguo in Zhang's painting?