Chinese Court Painting on Silk

Chinese court painting dating from the late Qing to early 20th century, probably done in one of the workshops in Beijing by Di’anmen near the Forbidden City. Paintings produced in this area are known as “houmen zao” (production at the rear gate of the Forbidden City). The theme of the painting is to celebrate the 60th birthday of Guo Ziyi, (697-781) formally known as Prince Zhongwu of Fenyang, a Tang Dynasty General who subdued the uprising of the An Lushan Rebellion. The 60th birthday is apocryphal but became a popular subject in Chinese painting and many allusions can be found to it in Chinese painting through the years. 

Ht. 28 3/8” Width 128”