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Story of Zhu Yun Breaking the Rails
Story of Zhu Yun Breaking the Rails

Story of Zhu Yun Breaking the Rails

Artist (Chinese, ca. 1120 - 1182)
Place of OriginChina
Dateapprox. 1800-1900
DynastyQing dynasty (1644–1911)
MaterialsInk and colors on silk
DimensionsH. 99 1/4 × W. 53 7/8 in, H. 252.1 cm × W. 136.8 cm (overall); H. 76 7/8 × W. 49 3/4 in, H. 195.3 cm × W. 126.4 cm (image)
Credit LineBequest of Katherine Ford
Object number2018.148
DepartmentChinese Art
ClassificationsPainting
On View
Not on view
SignedQinlong yulan zhibao (Treasure for the imperial examination by Qianlong) 乾隆御覽之寶 (朱文方印) Lang Ying郎英(朱文圓印) Tiandi jian beng wen zhi ren (For the intelligent person between heaven and earth) 天地間能文之人(乾坤符朱文圓印)
InscribedThe six-character signature in standard script reads Qianli Zhao Boju zhi (Produced by Zhao Boju, Qianli (Zhao’s nickname) 千里趙伯駒製
More Information

Court painting often illustrated significant historical events to remind imperial audiences of history’s great lessons. This painting depicts a famous event that occurred at the Han court under Emperor Chengdi (reigned 33–7 bce). The virtuous Zhu Yun appealed to the emperor to put to death the corrupt and malevolent Marquis Zhang Yu. But the emperor ruled that the lowborn Zhu should receive capital punishment for daring to violate Confucian order by condemning a nobleman. Chased by the guards, Zhu climbed the rail in the courtyard, breaking it while floundering.

Xin Qingji, a senior general, proposed to give up his own life in exchange for Zhu’s pardon. The emperor eventually withdrew the death penalty sentence, and later issued a decree to preserve the rails Zhu broke as a reminder to his subjects to be as faithful and upright as Zhu Yun.