Jieyu Defending the Emperor from a Bear
ca. 1740
Wu Gui
Chinese, active early-mid 18th century
Lu Zhan
Chinese, active early-mid 18th century
One 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.
Ink and color on paper
Overall: 101 1/2 x 54 1/2 in. (257.8 x 138.4cm)
Image: 76 x 51 1/2 in. (193 x 130.8cm)
Eugene Fuller Memorial Collection
39.258
Provenance: Gump’s, San Francisco
Photo: Elizabeth Mann