Qu Yuan and the Fisherman 1630 - 1650

This ink on paper fan painting, titled "Qu Yuan and the Fisherman," was created by Shen Hao in the mid-17th century. Born at the end of the Ming Dynasty, Shen Hao lived through the Manchu invasion of China. The painting depicts Qu Yuan, a minister known for his patriotism and integrity, who was exiled for opposing corruption. In this scene, Qu Yuan encounters a fisherman and laments his situation. The fisherman responds that the world is corrupt, and one should simply adapt. Qu Yuan refuses, choosing instead to drown himself as an act of protest. This painting provides a potent commentary on personal integrity versus political compromise. It reflects the artist’s own feelings of displacement and the moral dilemmas faced by those living through dynastic change. How do you feel about Qu Yuan's decision to stay true to his moral code?