Kongming Leaving the Mountains (cropped)

"The name Kongming in the title of this painting refers to one of the greatest military strategists in Chinese history, Zhuge Liang. Known also as a statesman, diplomat and prose writer, Zhuge Liang lived in the early 3rd century, when China was divided among rival lords.

Although Zhuge Liang resided in the mountains, living as a farmer, he also practised the occult arts of Daoism and kept himself well informed about the political situation in his country. The story goes that one of the contending warlords of the era, Liu Bei, wishing to engage his services, visited his rustic retreat three times. Each time Liu Bei appealed to Zhuge Liang. On the third occasion, satisfied by Liu Bei’s perserverance, Zhuge Liang agreed to act as his advisor – and he left the mountains. This is the moment depicted in the painting: Zhuge Liang rides the horse at the back of the group; Liu Bei is the man in the tall hat beside him; the other two riders, to the front, are Liu Bei’s generals."

—Chester Beatty Library