Cai Han (1647–1686): The Silent Witness of Mao Xiang’s Patronage Cai Han (蔡含), born around 1647 in China, remains a figure shrouded in artistic mystery. Despite her prolific output during the Ming Dynasty—primarily commissioned by Mao Xiang, a wealthy collector and fellow painter—scholarly research into her life has yielded scant biographical details. This relative obscurity contributes to the enduring fascination with her work, particularly “Ausblick auf den Xia Chang Berge” (午瑞图), which exemplifies her distinctive style and reflects the broader artistic currents of the era. Early Life…