Lady Xuanwen Giving Instruction on the Rites of Zhou
1638
unspecified
From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art
1638
unspecified
From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art
You see an old woman in red robes teaching three young men under a tree, scrolls and books spread around them. This painting was made for the artist’s aunt on her 60th birthday. Instead of a quiet family scene, Chen Hongshou painted a story from China’s past—a noblewoman instructing scholars on Confucian texts. The bright colors and sharp outlines make the figures feel almost like carved statues. If you like the way Chen painted faces—long and delicate—look up *china, ming dynasty (1368–1644)* to see more works like this.
