Jieyu fighting against bear

The court painting entitled Jieyu Fighting Against a Bear by Jin Tingbiao, which is kept at the Palace Museum in Beijing, is an important example of Qing dynasty imperial art showing the well-known incident in which Consort Feng Jieyu defended the emperor from a bear charging towards him. The painting portrays the dramatic instance when Jieyu bravely positions herself between the emperor and the wild animal, thus showing loyalty, courage and a willingness to make self-sacrifice. Using careful brushwork, a well-balanced composition and toned-down colours, Jin Tingbiao embodies the sophisticated style typical of Qing imperial painting. The contrast between the bear's aggressive spirit and Jieyu's calm act of bravery increases the emotional impact of the scene. This painting does more than simply record a historical event; it also tells a moral story which promotes the Confucian values of virtue, duty and devotion to the ruler. By means of this piece the artist turns the legendary act of bravery into a lasting symbol of ethical behaviour and loyalty to the emperor.