The traditional belle painting has a history of over 2,00 years. Belle painting met its heyday in the flourishing Tang Dynasty (8-907), and continued to prosper during the next dynasties. With the introduction of the technique of Western painting, the imperial-court painting of the Qing Dynasty (-9) took on an entirely new look. Al  in al , mainly drawing material from the life of court ladies, belle painting of ancient China holds up a mirror to the times they lived in. Those paintings are not only are treasures but also prized historical materials.