Artwork Page for Album of Daoist and Buddhist Themes: Kings of Hells: Leaf 38

Details / Information for Album of Daoist and Buddhist Themes: Kings of Hells: Leaf 38

Series Title: 佛道主題畫冊

Album of Daoist and Buddhist Themes: Kings of Hells: Leaf 38

1200s

China, Southern Song dynasty

(1127-1279)
View all records in artwork set
Medium
Album, ink on paper
Measurements
Painting: 34.1 x 38.5 cm (13 7/16 x 15 3/16 in.)
Credit Line
John L. Severance Fund in honor of Dr. Ju-hsi Chou and Gift of various donors to the department of Asian Art (by exchange) 2004.1.38
Public Domain
You can copy, modify, and distribute this work, all without asking permission. Learn more about CMA's Open Access Initiative.
Location
Not on view
Print

Description

This extraordinary album has 50 paintings on a variety of religious subjects. They were likely created by several master craftsmen to share with studio apprentices as models for fulfilling commissions. The Jade Emperor and the Daoist pantheon make up the first 26 leaves. The next 14 leaves portray the Buddhist Ten Kings of Hell administering punishments to the dead. The third section, called “Clearing the Mountains,” features divine soldiers, led presumably by the deity Erlang Shen 二郎神, fighting undesirable creatures.
A horizontally oriented fine-line ink drawing on tan paper depicts a pavilion scene in the upper left. A figure sits behind a table covered in scrolls, surrounded by attendants, while others kneel below the platform. To the right and across the bottom, dense, swirling lines representing clouds are populated by tiny figures and animals. The aged paper surface features scattered worn patches, faint characters, and small reddish stains.

Album of Daoist and Buddhist Themes: Kings of Hells: Leaf 38

1200s

China, Southern Song dynasty (1127-1279)

See Also

Visually Similar by AI

Contact Us

The information about this object, including provenance, may not be currently accurate. If you notice a mistake or have additional information about this object, please fill out the appropriate request form linked below:

Update or Correct Artwork Information

Imagery or Rights for Non-Open-Access Artworks

Report a Website Issue

Further Questions About This Artwork