A central theme in Chinese painting is that of the scholar’s gathering, representing the ideal life of the scholar-official who practiced painting and calligraphy for the enjoyment of an intimate circle of literati. Here, the occasion is a lunar New Year gathering in the garden of Yuan Pao, a close friend of the artist, for the purpose of viewing plum blossoms. According to the poetic inscription, the weather was poor and the flowers had not yet opened, but Wen Zhengming reminds the viewer that gardens can exist anywhere, even in the mind.