石渠寶笈續編(寧壽宮),第五冊,頁2975&*故宮書畫錄(卷八),第四冊,頁102 &*故宮書畫圖錄,第十一冊,頁225-226&* 鄒一桂(西元一六八六-一七七二年),江蘇無錫人。字原褒,號小山,又號讓卿,晚號二知老人。為世宗雍正五年(一七二七)進士,歷官至禮部侍郎,加尚書銜。徐善繪外,亦精通畫理,著有小山畫譜。 平川繡嶺間,舟梁農舍,田疇茆屋分置。屋內長者圍爐取暖。廣場上,孩童或擊鼓奏樂;或舉挈著花燈玩耍,或在圍籬邊,又懼又喜地燃著炮竹。畫家描寫的正是新春元宵時節,太平鄉居樂景。本幅畫於辛未(西元一七五一年)新春,畫家時年六十六。 &* Tsou I-kuei (style name Yüan-pao; sobriquet Hsiao-shan, Jang-ch’ing and Er-chih lao-jen) was a native of Wu-hsi in Kiangsu and received his chin-shih civil service degree in 1727 and ultimately served as concurrent Attendant Gentleman in the Ministry of Rites and as an honorary Minister. Besides excelling at painting, Tsou I-kuei was also good at painting theory, being the author of The Hsiao-shan Manual of Painting. Scattered about this painting among the level streams and beautiful mountains are boats, bridges, farmers’ huts, fields, and thatched dwellings. Inside the dwellings can be seen figures taking warmth around hearths. In the wide open spaces, children are beating drums and playing instruments, playing with colorful paper lanterns, and merrily yet somewhat timidly setting off fireworks by the side of the enclosure. Tsou I-kuei has exactly described the Lantern Festival in the New Year season (the 15th day of the first lunar month) as a joyous scene of living in the peaceful countryside. This painting was done in the New Year season of 1751, when the artist was 65-years-old.