FU BAOSHI (CHINA, 1904-1965)

The subject of Fu Baoshi’s Celestial Woman is rooted in the poem titled “Lady of the Xiang River,” attributed to the martyr statesman and poet Qu Yuan (c. 343-c. 278 BCE). The text is a narration from the perspective of the Lord of the Xiang River, who longs for his beloved absent wife, the title character. After a long separation, the Lord waits with anticipation at their mutually agreed meeting place. To his disappointment, the Lady never shows up at the appointed time and place, leaving him morose and confused.

The original poem was written as lyrics for vocal performance, sung by a male performer. Themes of eternal love, star-crossed lovers’ promise to each other, longing from far away, and vicissitude reverberate through the narrative. Fu Baoshi takes the recipient of all these expressions and makes her his sitter. An admirer of the painting characteristics of Six-Dynasties, Fu renders the Lady of the Xiang River as a sinuous female standing in the midst of falling leaves. Her garment and wrap are fluttering in the wind. With a wistful expression, she turns around and gazes into the distance, perhaps looking in the direction of her beloved husband with whom she is unable to reunite. Fu Baoshi fully captures the sentiment of the moment, giving us an ideal visualization of the legendary Lady of the Xiang River.