Beauty about to bathe
Partially clad in a sheer robe, a woman perches on the edge of a bamboo couch. A red candle burning in a sconce indicates that it is evening. Blossoming orchids in a basin to her right may symbolize hidden beauty, seductive fragrance, or scholarly talent, while the books at her right elbow indicate her learning. Beside the couch, a bath is being filled.
This picture is risqué in several respects. The robe reveals much of the subject’s body, including her breasts and legs. Small red shoes emphasize her bound feet—a charged erotic theme in premodern Chinese literature and art. More subtle but perhaps equally suggestive is the woman’s open-mouthed expression, which reveals her teeth, a rare and provocative depiction for a premodern Chinese figure painting.
This picture is risqué in several respects. The robe reveals much of the subject’s body, including her breasts and legs. Small red shoes emphasize her bound feet—a charged erotic theme in premodern Chinese literature and art. More subtle but perhaps equally suggestive is the woman’s open-mouthed expression, which reveals her teeth, a rare and provocative depiction for a premodern Chinese figure painting.
Artwork Details
- 清 佚名 浴女沉思圖 軸
- Title: Beauty about to bathe
- Artist: Unidentified artist , Chinese, 18th century
- Period: Qing dynasty (1644–1911)
- Date: 18th century
- Culture: China
- Medium: Hanging scroll; ink and color on silk
- Dimensions: Image: 61 3/8 × 34 1/8 in. (155.9 × 86.7 cm)
Overall with mounting: 8 ft. 6 1/4 in. × 41 11/16 in. (259.7 × 105.9 cm)
Overall with knobs: 8 ft. 6 3/16 in. × 46 1/2 in. (259.6 × 118.1 cm) - Classification: Paintings
- Credit Line: Purchase, Robert Hatfield Ellsworth Bequest, 2024
- Object Number: 2024.181
- Curatorial Department: Asian Art
More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Unidentified artist
Unidentified artist
Unidentified artist
Unidentified artist
Unidentified artist
18th–19th century
Research Resources
The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.
To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.
Feedback
We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please contact us using the form below. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.