Palace Ladies Watching the Sunset
Formerly attributed to Zhao Boju (ca. 1120s-ca.1162)
16th-17th century
Classification
Painting
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Gift of Charles Lang Freer
Accession Number
F1911.540
Tags
Charles Lang Freer collectionChinaChinese ArtMing dynasty (1368 - 1644)landscapepalace
About this artwork
This painting shows a generic palace constructed at the foot of towering mountains. On a terrace behind the gates of the compound, several palace ladies have gathered to watch the sunset (or sunrise) as it reddens the skies and waters. Flecks of gold added to the paint augment the dazzling effect. The painting bears the spurious signature of Zhao Boju, an imperial relative who worked in the academy at the Southern Song dynasty (1127-1279) court. A specialist in the blue-and-green style originate...