"Portrait of ancestors". China. Qing Dynasty

"Portrait of ancestors". China. Qing Dynasty, late 18th-early 19th century.
Painting on silk.
It shows wear, flaws and flaws.
Measurements: 200 x 115 cm; 213 x 125 cm (frame).

The portrait of ancestors was a pictorial genre of great importance in imperial China. The painting on silk shows a couple of high rank, seated in a formal, frontal position, an artistic convention intended to honor and preserve the memory of the deceased.

The figures, a man and a woman, wear formal robes of the Qing dynasty (1644-1912). The man, on the right, wears a dark blue court suit, on which a mandarin square (buzi) can be distinguished on the chest. It was an insignia indicating his rank as a civil or military official. His expression is solemn and his posture rigid, looking directly at the viewer. The woman, on the left, is similarly dressed, in ornate formal attire. Her headdress is elaborate, in keeping with the fashion of the time for elite women. Like her husband, her face is serene and idealized, avoiding personal emotion to project dignity and virtue.
Both are seated in imposing armchairs covered with richly decorated fabrics, underscoring their high social position.

Behind the couple, a screen or painted background shows a landscape of mountains and rivers. This type of landscape alluded to the stability and harmony of the universe, qualities desired for the family. At their feet is an elaborate carpet with vegetal and symbolic motifs.

The faces are painted with great detail and an attempt at realism to capture the likeness of the individuals, as was customary in portraits of ancestors. However, the robes and background are executed in a flatter, more decorative style, using precise lines and vibrant colors but no shading, creating a monumental and ceremonial effect.

Such paintings were displayed on the family altar during special ceremonies, such as Chinese New Year or anniversaries, so that descendants could pay their respects and strengthen the bond with their lineage.