WEN SHU (1595-1634)

This painting by Wen Shu, one of the most important women artists of the Ming dynasty, depicts the poetic theme "Rising Early in the Spring to Lament Flowers," as indicated by her inscription. This subject was made popular in literature by the Tang dynasty-poet Bai Juyi (772-846). As Wen Shu also noted in her inscription, her composition was inspired by Zhao Mengfu (1254-1322), whose descendant was her husband. The painting by Zhao Mengfu of this theme is no longer extant. The clothing of the lady recalls Tang dynasty fashions and is echoed in similar paintings of this theme, such as one by Miss Qiu (active mid-late 16th century) in the National Palace Museum, Taipei and another painted in 1768 by Lu Can and Xue Chou (both 18th century) in the Palace Museum, Beijing.