明 Ming dynasty
21.1(H) x 13.5(W)
《三才圖會》明萬曆三十七年王氏原刊配補影鈔本鳥獸一卷
Imprint from the original Wang version with handwritten supplements,
in the 37th year of the reign of Wanli (1609), Ming dynasty; the volume of Fauna
《三才圖會》於1609年（萬曆37年）出版。古人稱「天、地、人」為「三才」，本書彙集有關「三才」的各種圖譜，故名《三才圖會》。全書內容大多整理自歷史文獻，亦有想像及神話色彩，共一百零八卷、十四門，共分天文、地理、人物、時令、宮室、器用、身體、衣服、人事、儀卷、珍寶、文史、鳥獸和草木。各門中圖像均有文字說明，圖文豐富，為明代繪圖類書首屈一指的作品之一。本次針對動物主題，同時展出代表醫者觀點的《本草綱目》（1.4）與文人觀點的《三才圖會》，表現出明代知識份子對動物的認知與想像。
The Collected Illustrations of the Three Realms (Sancai Tuhui) was first published in 1609 (the 37th year of the reign of Wanli), during the Ming dynasty. The ancients referred to the heavens, the earth, and the human world as the “Three Realms”, and this work represents a compendium of drawings and images from across these three realms, hence its name. The contents of this work were mostly sourced from historical literature, but elements of fantasy and myth are present as well. The work spans a hundred and eight volumes, and is divided into fourteen categories, including astronomy, geography, personalities, seasons, palaces, tools, anatomy, dress, human affairs, rituals and ceremonies, treasures, history and culture, fauna, and flora. Each illustration is accompanied by a text description. Rich with images and text, this work is considered to be one of the finest examples of Ming dynasty picture books. The Collected Illustrations of the Three Realms (Sancai Tuhui) is displayed together with the Compendium of Materia Medica (1.4) in this animal-themed exhibition, respectively providing a scholar’s perspective and a physician’s perspective, thus offering valuable insight into the Ming literati’s understanding of and imaginings about animals.
