Court Ladies Wearing Flowered Headdresses — History & Facts
Court Ladies Wearing Flowered Headdresses by Zhou Fang is a handscroll painting executed with ink and color on silk, dating to the 8th century. The composition shows five elegantly dressed women with flowers in their hair and a maid holding a large fan, together with a crane and two small dogs. The figures are arranged in a continuous sequence across the scroll, set against a plain background with a flowering tree at the left edge, emphasizing their attire and gestures. The women are depicted in flowing robes of red, pink, and cream, with delicate patterns and subtle shading that highlight the texture of the silk.
Their hairstyles are high and ornate, topped with large floral ornaments. Each figure is engaged in a leisurely activity: holding a flower, playing with a dog, or carrying a fan. The use of fine lines and soft colors creates a sense of refinement and grace, while the inclusion of animals and botanical elements suggests a setting of cultivated leisure. Paintings of court ladies were a prominent genre in the Tang dynasty, reflecting the tastes and ideals of the imperial court.
Zhou Fang was known for his depictions of aristocratic women, and this work exemplifies the style and subject matter favored in his era. It is now in the Liaoning Provincial Museum in Shenyang.






