Ancestor Portrait of a Court Lady
Original Language Title祖先肖像
CultureChinese
Datepossibly Ming dynasty (1368-1644)
MediumHanging scroll (laid down on panel), ink and color on silk
DimensionsOverall: 63 × 41 inches (160.02 × 104.14 cm)
Credit LinePurchase: William Rockhill Nelson Trust
Object number30-28
On View
Not on viewCollections
DescriptionPainting representing a lady of the court dressed in purple, green and gold robe, seated.Exhibition HistoryEngland's World of 1607, Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Richmond. May 17-September 1, 1957.
Many aspects of this portrait indicate that this woman was a revered ancestor who had lived a long and comfortable life. The symmetrical and rigid pose is typical of ancestor portraits. The golden phoenix on her ceremonial robe, gold jewelry and high tasseled hat indicate the high status of her family. Their affluence is reflected in luxurious items such as the red lacquer cosmetic box held by the servant and the lion-shaped incense burner on the lacquer table.
Mr. Pang Ki, Peking (Beijing, China);
Robert Rousset;
Purchased from Robert Rousset by The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, Kansas City, MO, 1930.
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Chen Shi
18th century
34-276
