two young women reading a book; woman in front with blue trim on her garment and wearing a hoop earring with white bead drops holds book in her PL hand and holds a fan with a bamboo handle in her PR hand; woman in back with floral trim on her sleeves with brown ground and wearing a looped earring with white bead drops rests her PL arm on the shoulder of the front woman and points to the book with her PL hand; both women wear ornaments in their hair with flowers--hair ornament worn by woman in back has a dragon holding dangles in its mouth; inscription at left edge in black with two red square seals; round format

Two Beauties, 1847

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This painting depicts two young ladies, one sitting with a book in her hand and the other standing behind her, pointing to a line in the book. Their accessories and luxurious clothing suggest that they are high-status women from the imperial court or other upper level of society. The painting is drawn in a realistic manner, and the artist’s skill can be seen in the delicate rendering of the textile design, hair ornaments, and fluid lines of the drapery. As a result, it provides valuable information about elite women’s fashion and accessories, providing a document of sorts of the material culture of the time.

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Details
Title
Two Beauties
Artist Life
active mid 19th century
Role
Artist
Accession Number
2015.68.1
Curator Approved

This record has been reviewed by our curatorial staff but may be incomplete. These records are frequently revised and enhanced. If you notice a mistake or have additional information about this object, please email collectionsdata@artsmia.org.

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two young women reading a book; woman in front with blue trim on her garment and wearing a hoop earring with white bead drops holds book in her PL hand and holds a fan with a bamboo handle in her PR hand; woman in back with floral trim on her sleeves with brown ground and wearing a looped earring with white bead drops rests her PL arm on the shoulder of the front woman and points to the book with her PL hand; both women wear ornaments in their hair with flowers--hair ornament worn by woman in back has a dragon holding dangles in its mouth; inscription at left edge in black with two red square seals; round format