On 11 November, Prof Deng Xiaonan, Distinguished Professor of Humanities of Peking University and chairperson of the Chinese Society of Song History, was invited by the Department of History of Lingnan University to speak on women’s life in Tang (618-907) and Song Dynasties (960-1279) as reflected in historical artefacts.
Citing artefacts ranging from frescoes, sculptures, inscriptions of tomb memorials, contracts, loan agreements and household registers, Prof Deng examined the gender role and social status of women in Tang and Song periods. For example, Tang paintings often depicted upper-class ladies enjoying their leisure time, while Song paintings were more interested in portraying women at work. This reflects a stark contrast in concepts and expectations of women in different periods of Chinese history.
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