Art and Culture｜As the Major Heat arrives, ancient paintings offer a fascinating glimpse into how people kept cool centuries ago. In the Yuan Dynasty painting Whiling Away the Summer, fruit is chilled over blocks of ice while nobles relax on cooling daybeds. Historical records also mention Tang Dynasty iced desserts and sophisticated ice chests dating back to the Warring States period, reflecting remarkable ingenuity in beating the summer heat. Long before air conditioning, people found creative ways to enjoy summer with ice, thoughtful design, and refined living. These timeless scenes remind us that the pursuit of comfort has inspired innovation for centuries.

大暑至，别慌！古画里的“冰爽自由”早玩明白了——

元代《消夏图》里，冰盘镇果、凉榻高卧；唐代酥山、战国冰鉴，全是消暑神器。没有空调的夏天，古人靠冰和风雅，过得比我们还凉快。

原来千年前的“冰爽自由”，早就藏在画里了。

翻译：谢籽妍（实习）

审校：罗洁

终审：王予湉