Tracing the evolution of feminine grace from the slender elegance of the Six Dynasties, through the opulent and robust depictions of the Tang era, to the dignified grace of the Song and Yuan dynasties, and the delicate tenderness of the Ming and Qing periods—this exhibition showcases the timeless beauty of women through 83 cultural relics and paintings at the Hall of Literary Brilliance of the Palace Museum. The exhibition, titled "Timeless Beauties: Figure Paintings from Across the Ages in the Palace Museum Collection (Phase Four)," opened its doors on September 4th as the culminating event of the museum's series on historical figure paintings.
The exhibition features masterpieces such as the "Court Ladies Wielding Fans" from the Tang Dynasty, the "Biographies of Exemplary Women" from the Eastern Jin period, and the "Goddess of the Luo River" from the Song era. Each painting invites viewers not just to witness the aesthetic variations of each period but also to immerse themselves in the lifelike historical atmospheres evoked by these portraits of court ladies.
The "Admonitions of the Instructress to the Court Ladies," a renowned work, is currently housed in the British Museum. "Their collection features a version on silk with color, while the one we are displaying is a monochrome ink version on paper," explains Xing Lunan, Deputy Curator of the Calligraphy and Painting Department at the Palace Museum. Composed by Zhang Hua during the Western Jin Dynasty, this work lists historical examples of virtuous court ladies, using their stories to voice concerns about the political turmoil of that era. In the Eastern Jin Dynasty, the artist Gu Kaizhi translated these narratives into visual form. The piece exhibited here is a Song dynasty replica, noted for its fluid brushwork, delicate and continuous lines, and archaic character depictions.
Visitors who look carefully will discover that the "Admonitions Scroll" includes a scene depicting Consort Feng defending Emperor Yuan, which is featured again in the exhibition—painted by the Ming Dynasty artist Ding Yunpeng. This story, sourced from the "Book of Han," recounts an episode where, during an animal combat show, a bear escaped its enclosure. As the crowd scattered in fear, only Consort Feng bravely stood her ground. This act of courage later epitomized loyal devotion to a ruler.
This concept of revisiting historical themes, known as "thematic remakes," is a recurrent feature in the exhibit. Xing Lunan, Deputy Curator, notes that in ancient China, paintings that portray female figures are broadly known as "court lady paintings." Initially, such artworks typically carried a didactic purpose, aimed at setting moral and behavioral standards for women through the medium of painting.
In the exhibition hall, the standout piece is the Tang dynasty scroll "Court Ladies Wielding Fans," produced by the artist Zhou Fang. This artwork is strategically placed at the deepest part of the hall, and visitors eager to see the thirteen depicted characters on the nearly 2-meter-long scroll need to patiently wait their turn, inching forward in line.
Observers who take the time to explore this aged scroll will notice its slightly darkened background which contrasts with the thirteen figures, all meticulously lined up: consorts and palace maids wearing high, elaborate hairdos and facial features characterized by finely-drawn eyes and rounded faces, clad in long, flowing gowns. The scene includes figures in various poses—some casually holding fans, others plucking strings on a zither, some arranging their hair in front of a mirror, others engaged in embroidery, and a few idly fanning themselves. The color scheme is primarily red, supplemented with shades of blue, gray, purple, and green, creating a balanced interplay of warm and cool tones that highlights the delicate complexion of the figures and the richness of their attire.
"This artwork is unsigned, yet it is attributed to Zhou Fang or his artistic lineage," explains Xing Lunan. Coming from a prominent and wealthy family, Zhou Fang was intimately acquainted with the extravagant lifestyle of the nobility. His paintings of court ladies typically reflect the leisure activities of aristocratic women, drawing directly from real life. This characteristic makes these paintings especially valuable as they vividly capture the evolving political climates, customs, and fashions across different epochs.
He Xie, the head of exhibition design at the Palace Museum, explains that the exhibition layout extends beyond traditional displays of artifacts and textual panels to include multimedia presentations and innovative lighting installations. Upon passing through the moon gate, visitors are seemingly transported through time, entering the world of ancient court ladies. Moreover, the poetry and painting screen installation uses light and shadows in a poetic and creative way to portray the classical female figures from the exhibits. This installation combines poetry, imagery, and character silhouettes to create an evocative and lasting impression, inviting visitors to explore the allure of the women featured in the paintings.
The exhibition will be open until October 31st and is accessible with a Palace Museum ticket. Visitors can make advance reservations through the "Palace Museum" WeChat mini-program using real-name registration.
Translator: JIANG Yuanqin
Reviewer: FENG Haoxuan
