Jieyu Defending the Emperor from a Bear

ca. 1740

Cheng Zhidao

Chinese, active early-mid 18th century

Jin Kun

Chinese, 1700 - 1750

Wu Gui

Chinese, active early-mid 18th century

Lu Zhan

Chinese, active early-mid 18th century

Cheng Liang

Chinese, active early-mid 18th century

Zhang Qi

Chinese, 1700 - 1800

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

Not currently on view

Resources

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

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