Theatrical scene

Chinese operas are very long and feature complex narratives with a large number of characters. Keeping track of who is who is a challenge even for the most dedicated fan. Illustrated in the print are the five main characters of the Chinese opera "Eight Sledgehammers" (Ba dachui); each is identified on a cartouche.

This opera is based on three chapters of a much longer novel about the celebrated General Yue Fei (1103-1141) of the Song dynasty (960-1279), and his battles with the rival Jin dynasty (founded 1115). The opera focuses on the episodes involving Lu Wenlong (center), an adopted Jin warrior ignorant of his Song descent. Flanking Lu in this composition are General Yue's four warriors (from right to left): Yue Yun, He Yuanqing, Di Lei, and Yan Chengfang. Each wields a pair of sledgehammers as his weapons, hence the title of the opera. This scene is a reference to the pivotal battle between the four warriors and Lu Wenlong.the warriors were ultimately defeated, but it was after this battle that General Yue learned of Lu's parentage.and thus convinced him to switch sides.

Most popular print depictions of Chinese opera fall into one of two categories: either showing the actors in full stage costume in a landscape or architectural setting or as they would appear on a stage traditionally set with minimal props. As the popularity of the theater grew beginning in the early 1800s, production of theatrical prints also surged.