Images(4)

Jieyu Defending the Emperor from a Bear

Dateca. 1740

Label TextOne of the most famous stories of female virtue told in early Chinese anthologies is that of Lady Feng Jieyu, who defended the Han dynasty’s Emperor Yuan (r. 48–33 BCE) from an attacking bear while the men around her were frozen with fear. She is shown here putting herself in harm’s way with arms outstretched, courageously barring the bear’s path. This story is often paired with that of Lady Ban Jieyu, who refused a palanquin seat with Emperor Cheng (r. 32–37 BCE), thereby saving him from a sex scandal. These and other tales describe ideals for powerful men and women to aspire to. Centuries later, the bear-attack story continued to engage artists like this coterie of Qing dynasty court painters, who were commissioned to collaborate and reimagine a variety of classical paintings and themes.

Object number39.258

ProvenanceGump’s, San Francisco

Photo CreditPhoto: Elizabeth Mann

Exhibition HistorySeattle, Washington, Seattle Asian Art Museum, Boundless: Stories of Asian Art, Feb. 8, 2020 - ongoing [on view beginning Jan. 20, 2023].

Credit LineEugene Fuller Memorial Collection

DimensionsOverall: 101 1/2 x 54 1/2 in. (257.8 x 138.4cm) Image: 76 x 51 1/2 in. (193 x 130.8cm)

MediumInk and color on paper