Lady Leaning on a Decorative Rock under a Phoenix Tree (Wutong)
Painting; circular fan leaf (tuanshan) format, now mounted as a framed work • Inscribed as by Fei Danxu (1801–1850) or a follower/school of Fei Danxu
Style & Movement
Late Qing Meiren (Beautiful Women) Genre, Shanghai School influence
Medium & Technique
Ink and light colors on silk; fine line (gongbi) technique with wash for landscape elements
Creation Period
Late Qing Dynasty to Early Republican Period (Late 19th - Early 20th Century)
Dimensions & Format
Circular fan format, approximately 25-30 cm in diameter; presented in a square frame
Subject Description
A classic 'Meiren' portrait depicting a melancholy lady in historical dress leaning against a Taihu scholar's rock beneath a Wutong tree. The composition includes a garden balustrade in the background, symbolizing domestic seclusion and refined literati taste.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Fair; visible darkening of the silk and significant foxing/staining throughout the surface
Estimated Market Value
$800 - $1,500 USD (assuming period follower work)
Auction Estimate
$500 - $1,200 USD
Provenance History
Includes a calligraphic inscription and one artist seal; likely acquired as a decorative export or domestic collectible in the early-to-mid 20th century
Art Historical Significance
Follows the influential 'Fei-style' which defined feminine beauty in 19th-century China, characterized by slender, delicate figures and a sense of quiet elegance.
Notable Features
Features a classic 'Wutong' tree motif which in Chinese iconography often signifies the arrival of the phoenix or superior virtue.
Condition Issues
Generalized yellowing of the silk support, severe foxing (brown spots), possible moisture damage, and slight rubbing/pigment loss on the figure's robes
Conservation Recommendations
Professional cleaning by a specialist in Chinese silk paintings, de-acidification of backing materials, and re-framing with UV-protective glass and archival matting