Breaking the Balustrade

Breaking the Balustrade

• Image Number: K2A000181N000000000PAA
• Dynasty: Song dynasty
• Category: Paintings
• Form: 軸
• Exhibition dimension: 173.9×101.8
• Description:
  This is a story painting, which depicts the story of Zhu Yun breaking the threshold. It is recorded in detail in Han Shu Zhu Yun Zhuan. When Emperor Cheng of the Western Han Dynasty (reigned from 33 to 7 BC), Zhang Yu, the prime minister, was proud of his favor, and most of the ministers in the court were due to Zhang Yu; He is the emperor’s teacher, and dare not impeach him. One day, Huaili ordered Zhu Yun to write to him and ask for an interview. In front of the minister, the emperor asked him to cut the horses and the swords to cut off the courtiers. The emperor angrily accused Zhu Yun of committing crimes and even became the court; He humiliated his teacher and ordered Zhu Yun to be executed. Zhu Yun climbed the temple sill to resist and even broke it. At this time, General Xin Qingji (? To the 12th year BC), the left general, took off his hat and seal ribbon, kowtowed to protect his head, and Zhu Yun had to avoid his crime. Later, when the temple sills were to be repaired, Emperor Cheng wanted to keep them as they were, in order to commend loyal officials and serve as a warning in the future. The painter arranged this historical fact in the imperial garden. The garden scenery constructed by Qiao Song and the lake stones omitted redundant characters. Although it was slightly different from the historical fact, it highlighted the theme and strengthened the aesthetic feeling of the picture. This is the artist’s ingenious layout. Since the painting has not been signed, it is difficult to speculate that it was painted by the famous artist in the Southern Song Dynasty. This kind of story painting of sages and sages has the function of political and religious propaganda, so it is mainly for hanging in the palace.