Illustrations of the Virtuous and Wise Women

Illustrations of the Virtuous and Wise Women carries forward the traditional painting style of the Han Dynasty in a new cultural context. This 5-meter-long scroll consists of ten sections, each showcasing interconnected yet independent figures. With labeled names and captions, it presents stories and divides the parts. While lacking innovation in subject and composition, the artwork brings a fresh approach to character depiction, featuring a realistic style. Departing from past portrayals, the artist selects virtuous women as subjects, moving away from purely symbolic representations. The figures exude movement, with subtle facial expressions capturing their inner activities. The intricately rendered clothing, highlighted by ink washes, adds a three-dimensional touch.

Jin Dynasty (266-420). Gu Kaizhi(so said）Silk scroll, light-colored. 25.8cm*470cm overall. Collection of the Palace Museum, Beijing.

This piece is compiled from the Chinese edition of Three Thousand Years of Chinese Painting by Foreign Languages Press and Yale University Press, translated by Chen Ying.