Pictured above is an iron wrought painting framed in dark wood with a white or light cream border. There is a short colophon, and a red seal in the middle of the left side of the piece. Although large black space is used within the piece, it seems to represent the grass, the side of a building, and the sky beyond the mountains in the background. The paining depicts a man (presumably a blacksmith) and a woman (plausibly his apprentice or co-worker) working together to create what looks like a piece for an iron wrought painting.

Throughout China’s history, and especially during Imperial times, Chinese women were relegated to the women’s quarters, and were separated from the rest of society. The subjects of the painting, the man and the woman, represent the change in Chinese society and within gender norms and expectations. As the female depicted within the painting is not only working, but working with a man, the painting is a symbol of the encouragement and (possible) realization of female equality in the workforce and within Chinese society.