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Gold Lotus Forces the Astrologer-Magician, Liu Lixing, to Give Her a Potion that will Insure Ximen's Love
Gold Lotus Forces the Astrologer-Magician, Liu Lixing, to Give Her a Potion that will Insure Ximen's Love

Gold Lotus Forces the Astrologer-Magician, Liu Lixing, to Give Her a Potion that will Insure Ximen's Love

Original Language Title劉理星魘勝求財（金瓶梅插畫冊）
Album TitleIllustrations to the Plum in the Golden Vase (Jin Ping Mei)
CultureChinese
Date18th century
MediumAlbum leaf; ink and color on silk
DimensionsOverall: 15 1/4 × 12 1/4 inches (38.74 × 31.12 cm)
Credit LinePurchase: the Uhlmann Family Fund
Object numberF83-4/4
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Gallery Label

This album leaf is from an erotic yet satirical novel from the late 1500s. The novel tells the story of several daring concubines and mistresses in the circle of a corrupt merchant, Master Ximen. The leading women, Golden Lotus (Pan Jinlian) and Little Vase (Li Ping’er), not only enjoy seducing men but also plot malicious schemes to gain access to their affluent lifestyles.

To convey both the luxurious lifestyle and eroticism in the novel, the painters depict these women with fashionable hairdos and colorful outfits. Looking closely, some women slip their tiny bound feet from under their long skirts, subtly suggesting they are available.

After a fight over her husband’s affair, Golden Lotus spent her fortune to have a sorcerer create a spell that would secure Master Ximen’s affection.

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