Woman in a garden

Qian Huian Chinese

Not on view

Qian Huian says this figure is "done in the style of Tang Yin" (1470–1523), but the echo is so faint as to require the inscription to call it to mind. Rather, this meticulously styled beauty with her large head, wraithlike form and delicate features is an unmistakable late 19th century romantic creature. Qian Huian’s influential style, promulgated by his many students and through his popular painting manual, led to the appearance of similar beauties on fans, calendars and painted snuff bottles, as well as in paintings.

Qian Huian’sreferences to orthodox painters like Tang Yin and the literary inscriptions he frequently added to his paintings made them attractive to patrons aspiring to literati taste.

Woman in a garden, Qian Huian (Chinese, 1833–1911), Folding fan mounted as an album leaf; ink and color on alum paper, China

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