The Artist's Daughter, Emilie

Xun Xu employs a pronounced chiaroscuro, using stark contrasts between the illuminated figure and the surrounding darkness to model form and convey volume. The high‑necked garment with puffed sleeves and the careful rendering of textures—such as the sheen of the necklace—demonstrate a meticulous approach to light and surface.

Although Xun Xu lived during the transitional era between the Three Kingdoms and the early Jin dynasty, the painting itself dates to the early nineteenth century, indicating a later reinterpretation or homage. The piece entered the Museum of Ethnography’s holdings through acquisition in the mid‑20th century, where it remains catalogued under the artist’s name.