Description
painted with a continuous narrative scene depicting ten female warriors mounted on horseback in the courtyard of a large villa, watched by three gentlemen on a balcony (2)
Dimensions
48cm high
Footnote
Note:
The narrative scene on the present lot is inspired by "The Generals of the Yang Family", a collection of Chinese plays and novels on a military family from the earlier years of the Song Dynasty (960–1279). The Yangs are known for their remarkable bravery as they defended their country from invading foreign powers, namely the Khitan-ruled Liao Dynasty (907–1125) and Tangut-ruled Western Xia (1038–1227). After most of the men had been slaughtered by the invaders, the women of the Yang family took up arms to fight against the enemy and proved that they were not inferior to their male counterparts.