The nude woman in the red qipao (a fashionable, form-fitting dress) embraces the modern female of the 1950s. In the painting, the subject looks introspectively downward while holding her raised right leg. Her composed expression deviates from the boldness of her nude body that is projected forward as her red qipao and textured background mold around her. The qipao was regarded as a symbol of respect and therefore a woman undressing in a qipao implies a sense of freedom not normally felt by the wearer. The subject embraces the lacquered nails that emphasize her bare feet. Painted toenails became another erotic modern symbol along with the baring one’s foot which was associated with freedom only afforded to the working class. Modern women are freed from the practice of foot binding, a deforming custom associated with male privilege, and the low social status of women. Pan Yuliang’s imagery of physical freedom from clothing translated to symbolic emancipation of the women in the 1950s.