Portrait of a Noble Woman

Artist

Chinese (Chinese)

Date

circa 1600

Medium

Ink, color, gilding on silk

Dimensions

Image : 33 x 31 in. (83.82 x 78.74 cm)
Frame : 37 1/4 x 35 1/4 in. (94.46 x 89.54 cm)

Credit Line

Gift of David Kamansky and Gerald Wheaton

Object Number

2016.57.5

Label

The clothing worn by the woman in this portrait identifies her as the wife of a high-ranking court official of the Ming dynasty. Women in China traditionally derived their social status from their fathers or their husbands and dressed accordingly. This portrait would originally have been paired with an image of the woman’s husband, and would likely have been displayed in a family chapel for younger generations to revere. Paying respect to one’s elders and ancestors was an important part of Confucian culture in China and was considered essential for the well-being not only of individual families but of the entire country.