Portrait of Li Xiangjun 1817

Cui He painted this hanging scroll, Portrait of Li Xiangjun, during the Qing dynasty. It is a window into the complex intersections of gender, class, and identity in 19th century China. Li Xiangjun was a courtesan known for her talent, beauty, and loyalty during the late Ming dynasty. Here, she is framed by a circular window in what appears to be a private, contemplative moment. Cui He, working in the later Qing Dynasty, invokes the story of Li Xiangjun to comment on female virtue and cultural refinement. Notably, the painting is surrounded by inscriptions, poetic verses, and commentary by various scholars and collectors. These texts function as a kind of public conversation around the image, negotiating the historical and moral significance of Li Xiangjun. The portrait and its surrounding texts invite us to consider the roles women played in shaping cultural and political discourse. It underscores the power of art to evoke memory, incite debate, and reflect societal values.