Refusing the Seat

Refusing the Seat

• Image Number: K2A000182N000000000PAA
• Dynasty: Song dynasty
• Category: Paintings
• Form: 軸
• Exhibition dimension: 146.8×77.3
• Description:
  This painting depicts the story of Emperor Wen of the Han Dynasty admonishing Qi’s concubines to stop them from lurking. Emperor Wen went to the forest garden, and his wife sat down next to the emperor. He said that the emperor should not allow his wife to sit on the side, because he had a queen. Otherwise, the hierarchy would be out of order, and Lady Shen would suffer. When the Emperor accepted the proposal, Lady Shen also gave her a piece of gold. Sitting in a corner of the garden, surrounded by trees and rocks, the painting is full of clouds and mists. Therefore, Ang speaks frankly and admonishes each other. Madam Shen is angry and unwilling to sit down. Emperor Wen listens attentively. The image performance also emphasizes the model of the emperor’s modest admonishment. The nameless style on the painting, with fluent and concise figure lines and refined tree and stone carving, is a masterpiece of the Southern Song Dynasty. According to the legend of Yuan Ang in Han Dynasty, one day, the emperor came to Shanglin Garden, and the empress and Madam Shen followed him. At ordinary times in the palace, the emperor and Madame Shen sat at the same table. On this day, Yuan Ang invited Madame Shen to sit at the second table. Madam Shen was very angry and refused to take a seat. The emperor was also very angry. So Ang immediately went up to explain: “I heard that hierarchy is orderly, so people can be harmonious. Now your majesty has set up a queen, and Madam Shen is my concubine. How can I sit with the master? Now your majesty is protecting Madam Shen, but it is her harm. Does your majesty not know about Madam Qi?” This picture depicts this story.