Li Shu Cui Xiu Tu (also known as Li Zhu Cui Xiu) is a bound album of paintings from the Qing Dynasty, created by the renowned artist He Dazi and inscribed by the official literati Liang Shizheng. The album comprises twelve double-page spreads, with calligraphy on the left page and corresponding paintings on the right. On the left, Liang Shizheng records excerpts of ancient poems he selected in the third year of the Qianlong reign, while the right pages depict the stories of illustrious and talented women throughout history. In order, the paintings portray Xi Shi, Qin Luofu, Qin Nongyu, Lady Li of the Han Dynasty, Zhuo Wenjun, Cai Wenji, Wu Liju, Princess Shouyang, Mulan, Grand Lady Gongsun, Hongxian, and Hongfu, with each image accompanied by verses that celebrate their virtues and talents.
The paintings employ the style of courtly ladies, showcasing not only the refined charm of ancient women but also using the poetic inscriptions to extol these celebrated historical figures. Now housed in the National Palace Museum in Taipei, this album is not only a significant example of Qing Dynasty court art but also an invaluable resource for studying the portrayal and cultural significance of women through the ages.
