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Hi there,
This is a painting present from my father bought in 1977.
I have done some research and found out is a mandarin from the fifth rank (silver phaesant square badge), etc.
Do anyone can tell me anything about the age? The face is beautiful!
I suposse it�s almost impossible to know the name of the person portrayed (no seals)

By the way. There is something that I don�t know if is special. But when my father removed the wooden bar that hanged the painting, in the inside he found ashes. Anything to comment? Thanks

To me it looks as if either a photographic image (face) was superimposed on a painting, or vice versa.

Its really photorealistic! But it had been done either gouche or pencil. Hard to tell with a lot of detail, painted on the parchment.

Is not painted on parchment (animal skin), is on paper.

Good luck,
Cal

these ancestor paintings were often ready made with only the head left out for the artist to fill in. the official's uniform was used for portraits of people with no connection to officialdom, simply to make them look good. not sure of the significance of ashes in the roller. one might guess they were some of the ashes of the deceased but I really have no idea if that could be true

Pairs of ancestor portraits were hung as part of family shrine. Many of them were pre-painted except face, customer could choose size and elaborate degree painting to fit desired price range to pay. Could bring in photograph for painter add detail faces.

Was common for family choose painting showing ancestor as person of status and wealth, promoting them as sign of respect.

Your painting very unlikely to be actual portrait of 5th-rank official. At least the bead necklace is accurately shown, unlike in many such.

Good luck,
Cal

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