Lady in Her Study with Attendants

Description

Attributed to Gai Qi 改琦
China, 1774–1829
Presenting Lychee Fruit on a Carved Ice Platter
Qing dynasty (1644–1912)
ca. 1900
Hanging scroll, ink and color on silk
Museum purchase made possible by the Margaret Watson Parker Art
Collection Fund, 1982/2.51

Although these two meiren paintings have similar compositions and
subject matter, there are notable differences. In Lady in Her Study
with Attendants (left), the artist has paid close attention to rendering
intricate details, such as hair ornaments and the fabric of the robes;
these details are simplified in Presenting Lychee Fruit on a Carved Ice
Platter. And, while the repeated application of ink washes in Lady in
Her Study suggests full, thick hair, a single layer of ink wash is used to
render the hair on the figure in the Presenting Lychee Fruit. And while
the bands of the black caps worn by the maids in Lady in Her Study
are carefully treated with light and dark ink tones, the headdresses
worn by the maids in Presenting Lychee Fruit are not. These differences
suggest Presenting Lychee Fruit is likely a later copy of Gai Qi’s work.
Can you spot any other differences between these two paintings?

Displayed to the left of Presenting Lychee Fruit on a Carved Ice Platter (1982/2.51)
(Chinese Gallery Rotation, Summer 2025)