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Lady Xuanwen Giving Instruction on the Rites of Zhou
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This painting by Chen Hongshou depicts the story of Xuanwen Jun, or Lady of Literary Propagation, at a venerable age, instructing young scholars on the Confucian classics. It was painted for Chen’s aunt in celebration of her 60th birthday. <br> <br>Chen’s painting style is archaic in the use of fine outlines and brilliant coloring with mineral pigments. In depicting the figures, he uses the “iron-wire” brush style (fine, even lines) with deliberate control. The faces are elongated and exaggerated. A few ritual bronzes lend the scene an antique flavor.
| Artist / Maker | Chen Hongshou |
|---|---|
| Date | 1638 |
| Culture / Origin | China, Ming dynasty (1368–1644) |
| Medium | Hanging scroll; ink and color on silk |
| Dimensions | Image: 172.8 x 55.7 cm (68 1/16 x 21 15/16 in.); Overall: 293.9 x 71 cm (115 11/16 x 27 15/16 in.); with knobs: 293.9 x 79 cm (115 11/16 x 31 1/8 in.) |
| Department | Chinese Art |
| Type | Painting |
About the Artist
Chen Hongshou (1598–1652) — Chinese artist (1598-1652).Disciplines: painter.Source: Wikidata (CC0) Full biography →
Provenance & Source
Image & data: Cleveland Museum of Art, CC0 / Public Domain.
Condition
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