Beauty with Attendant in a Bamboo-and-Rock Garden

Artist Fang Zong (Chinese, 16th century)

Artist Zhang Xiaosi (Chinese, 16th century)

Date1637

DynastyMing dynasty (1368 - 1644)

MaterialsInk on paper

DimensionsH. 9 1/4 in x W. 20 1/2 in, H. 23.5 cm x W. 52.1 cm (image); H. 12 1/2 in x W. 24 1/2 in, H. 31.8 cm x W. 62.2 cm (overall, folded)

Credit LineGift of Joseph and Nancy Wang in memory of Dr. and Mrs. Hsin-Chung Wang

Object number1998.32.c

DepartmentChinese Art

ClassificationsPainting

On View

Not on view

SignedArtist signature/date 1: For my poetic mentor, young brother Fangzong, the second month of the year dingchou (1637). 丁丑二月, 寫似尊魯詞兄。友弟方宗。 Seal: Fangzong 方宗 (白文長方印)。 Artist signature 2: Zhang Xiaosi 張孝思。 Seal: Zezhi 則之 (朱文楕圓形印); Zhang Zezhi 張則之 (鈐於左下方, 朱文长方印)。

Inscribed腰肢本猶絕, 看眼特驚人, 判目無相比, 還來有洛神。

MarkingsSiyin, Zhang Zezhi

More Information

As a type of scholar’s object conveying the meaning of everlasting stability, rocks were used as decoration both indoors and outdoors. Rock and bamboo together, an image of vitality, are commonly combined in garden settings. In this exquisitely organized fan painting, the bamboo-and-rock garden seems to be the ideal setting for a noblewoman leaning on a small rock with a fan in her hand, as she enjoys the view from what appears to be the best spot, in the corner of the garden on a high terrace.

Subject