Lady Zhaojun Leaves China, by You Qiu

"In 33 BC, the rulers of Han China and the Xiongnu nomads to the north sought a peace deal which would put an end to many years of brutal fighting. Chinese court ladies were to act as princesses who would marry the Xiongnu chieftains. One volunteer was the beautiful and upright Lady Wang Zhaojun, who married Hu Hanxia and spent sixty years living on the steppe. Her benign influence contributed to a long period of peace between the former enemies, Han and Xiongnu. In this painting, Lady Zhaojun is being escorted by nomad tribesmen to their chief. Her party has crossed through the northern forested wastes of China and entered the steppe-lands to the north. The chieftain awaits his new Chinese wife’s arrival outside his encampment amid the barren hills. Lady Zhaojun brings one servant woman with her, who carries her lute."
—Chester Beatty Library