Portrait of the Artist's Great-Granduncle Yizhai at the Age of Eighty-Five 1561 - 1621

"Portrait of the Artist’s Great-Granduncle Yizhai at the Age of Eighty-Five," a hanging scroll by Ruan Zude, is a stunning example of a Ming dynasty portrait. Created sometime between 1561 and 1621, the painting showcases the artist's skillful use of ink and color to depict Yizhai, a member of the Ruan family. Yizhai is rendered in meticulous detail, seated in a chair with a long blue robe and a white beard. The portrait's inscription indicates that Ruan Zude, a prominent figure in the artistic community, was commissioned to paint it. This piece showcases the tradition of familial portraiture in Ming China and the significant role of artists within noble families.