Suzhou Embroidery. Lu Jian-Ying Embroidery Studio
Each 41.5 × 32.5 cm, 1990s
This embroidery series is based on the Album of Elegant Ladies by Jiao Bing-Zhen, a court painter of the Qing Dynasty. Known for his refined brushwork and rich use of color, Jiao depicted women in moments of grace and leisure, set against intricate backdrops that blend Chinese garden architecture with Western techniques of light and perspective. These scenes include pavilions, terraces, lotus ponds, and drooping willows—landscape elements that together reflect the opulence and sophistication of Qing court aesthetics. The embroidered interpretation employs exceptionally fine Flat Stitch, using threads as thin as a strand of hair. Despite their modest scale, the works convey vivid expressions, spatial complexity, and a compelling interplay of detail and depth. They not only capture the charm of the originals but also enhance it with the layered texture and luminosity unique to embroidery.