Seated Female Figure

Location

Country: UK
City: London
Place: Government Art Collection

This Chinese ancestor portrait scroll was commissioned after the death of an ancestor under the belief that, if properly worshipped and honoured, the spirit of the ancestor would bring good health, prosperity and children. Food was placed before the scrolls as an offering. The practise began during the late Ming dynasty and continued until it was largely usurped by photography in the 19th century. Ancestors were generally depicted almost life-size, seated in an elaborate chair and facing the viewer with a sombre, detached expression. Care was taken to depict the individual’s features accurately, as it was thought that an inaccurate depiction could result in prayers being received by the ancestor of another family. The chair would typically be draped in either fur or brocade and beneath it there was generally an elaborately decorated carpet. Woman’s feet (considered the most erotic part of her body) were covered; as often were women’s hands. Figures were depicted in their finest, most formal clothing. In the case of commoners, this was generally their wedding attire. During the Qing dynasty brides invariably wore red. Both men and women were sometimes depicted with elaborate headdresses and jewellery, as in this example.

Places

Subjects

female portrait, Chinese School, woman, carpet

Materials & Techniques

silk, paper (as artists material), watercolour (as artists materials), ink, scroll (as object name), hanging scroll, Painted scroll

Artist

Chinese unknown

Title

Seated Female Figure

Date

Medium

Watercolour and ink on silk on silk/paper scroll

Dimensions

height: 194.00 cm, width: 67.50 cm

Acquisition

Purchased November 1963

Provenance

Purchased in Hong Kong, November 1963

GAC number

6389