7 Classical Asian Women Artists You Should Know
Here are 7 historical Asian women artists whose lives represent a
A note on names:
In Confucian tradition, it was customary among the intellectual élite to have three or more names. These were: a given name (名), a courtesy name (字), and any number of art names (號). Given names were normally used by elders or superiors to address their younger or more junior interlocutors, while courtesy names were the mainstay of literati scholars referring to one another as familiars; art names were mostly self-coined, though often in reflection of the scholar’s wider reputation and/or personality. That women were active participants in the cultural and literary world around them is demonstrated by their adoption of art names, and often even multiple of them.
1. Guan Dao-sheng 管道昇
Lived from: 1262-1319, during the Yuan Dynasty
Known for: Her poetry and paintings of bamboo, traditionally a masculine symbol for being steadfast and resolute in Chinese literati culture; she was also married to the famous literati scholar, painter, and artist Zhao Mengfu
Once said: ‘To play with brush and ink is masculine sort of thing to do, yet I made this painting. Wouldn’t someone say that I have transgressed? How despicable; how d e s p i c a b l e .’
Also known as: Zhongji (仲姬), courtesy name
2. Shin Saimdang 신사임당/申師任堂
Lived from: 1504-1551, during the Joseon Dynasty
Known for: Her nature paintings, pioneering a genre of grass and insect paintings called chochungdo (초충도/草蟲圖); she is also remembered for her merits as a mother in the upbringing of Yi Yi, one of Korea’s greatest Confucian scholars
In popular culture: This painting appeared in the TV series Saimdang, Memoir of Colours (2017) starring actress Lee Young-ae in the title role; Shin Saimdang also features on the 50,000-won note in South Korea.
Also known as: Shin In-seon 신인선/申仁善 (née); Inimdang 인임당/姻姙堂 and Imsajae 임사재/姙師齊 (pen names)
3. Heo Nanseolheon 허난설헌/許蘭雪軒
Lived from: 1563-1589, during the Joseon Dynasty
Known for: Her illustrated classical poetry and calligraphy
Fun fact: Despite her family’s aristocratic ‘yangban’ status, she actively engaged with folk culture and vernacular Hangul poetry, expanding her oeuvre as a known literary prodigy.
Also known as: Heo Cho-hui 허초희/許楚姬) and Heo Ok-hye 허옥혜/許玉惠
4. Sahifa Banu
Lived from: 16th-17th centuries, during the Mughal Empire
Known for: Her authentic portrayal of the women in miniature paintings for the imperial Mughal Court
Fun fact: As the only woman artist in the imperial workshop, she had exclusive access to the palace’s private spaces for women, i.e. the harem — which meant that her paintings provide rare insight into the ‘feminine sphere’ in Mughal times.
5. Liu Rushi 柳如是
Lived from: 1618–1664, during the Ming Dynasty
Known for: Her scandals and bigger-than-life persona, participating boldly in important literati, poetry, and art circles as a cross-dressing courtesan donning Confucian robes.
Fun fact: She once ended her affair with a Ming government official by smashing her lute and leaving in a fit of anger.
Also known as: Yang Ai 楊愛, Liu Shi 柳是, and Liu Yin 柳隱; and Rushi 如是and Hedong Jun 河東君 (art name)
6. Chen Shu 陳書
Lived from: 1660–1735, during the Qing Dynasty
Known for: Her landscape and nature paintings in the manner of masters from previous dynasties (Chinese: 仿, i.e. in imitation of), and teaching aspiring literati court officials.
Fun fact: This painting was recorded in the official catalogue of the imperial collection in 1750, likely thanks to the advocacy of her students.
Also known as: Nanliu 南樓 (courtesy name), and Shanyuan Dizi 上元弟子 and Nanliu Laoren 南樓老人 (art names)
7. Ike Gyokuran 池 玉瀾, née Tokuyama
Lived from: 1727–1784, during the Edo Period
Known for: Her poetry and bunjinga (文人画), also known as nanga (南画), a genre of literati ink wash painting heavily influenced by the culture of scholarly ink painting in China; she and her husband Ike no Taiga (池大雅) often collaborated on artworks and musical performances as equals, seen as eccentric and flouting social gender conventions of the time
In popular culture: Young girls celebrating the Festival of the Ages, or Jidai Matsuri (時代祭), in Kyoto today often dress up as Ike Gyokuran and other famous women from Kyoto’s history.