Unidentified Artist Chinese, active mid-12th century, Emperor Xuanzong's Flight to Shu, 南宋 佚名 明皇幸蜀圖 軸, mid-12th century. Hanging scroll; ink, color, and gold on silk. Image: 44 3/4 × 32 5/8 in. (113.7 × 82.9 cm) Overall with mounting: 95 1/2 × 54 in. (242.6 × 137.2 cm) Overall with knobs: 57 1/2 × 95 1/2 in. (146.1 × 242.6 cm). Rogers Fund, 1941. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 41.138 © 2000–2016 The Metropolitan Museum of Art. 

In 745, after thirty-three years of able rule, the Tang emperor Xuanzong (r. 712–56) fell in love with the concubine Yang Guifei and became indifferent to his duties. When Yang’s favorite general, An Lushan, rebelled in 755, she was blamed. Forced to flee from the capital at Xi’an to the safety of Shu (Sichuan Province), the emperor was confronted by mutinous troops demanding the execution of his lover. Reluctantly assenting, Xuanzong looked on in horror and shame and abdicated soon after. This painting depicts the somber imperial entourage after the execution. While the accoutrements of the figures 

This work is exhibited in the "Masterpieces of Chinese Painting from the Metropolitan Collection" exhibition, on view through October 11th, 2016.