LADY BY THE OPENING GATE 宋.妇人启门图

Lady by the opening gate was a popular subject for tomb mural or wall relief during the Song dynasty. The exact meaning of door opening lady is not known, some say it represent the lover of the tomb's owner, waiting him to come home. Some say she is the angel who leads the decease to the heaven, which is on the other side of the gate. No matter what the metaphor really was, I just want to create a painting about lady by the opening gate with lighthearted tone. Instead of relating this subject to after life or burials, may be our ancestors are just looking forwards to a warm and welcoming home.