Album of Daoist and Buddhist Themes: Procession of Daoist Deities: Leaf 3

Series Title: 佛道主題畫冊

Album of Daoist and Buddhist Themes: Procession of Daoist Deities: Leaf 3

1200s

China, Southern Song dynasty

(1127-1279)

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Medium

Album, ink on paper

Measurements

Painting: 34.3 x 38.5 cm (13 1/2 x 15 3/16 in.); Overall: 39 x 41.4 cm (15 3/8 x 16 5/16 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) 2004.1.3

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Location

Not on view

Did You Know?

A female attendant holds a tray with a rocky formation, which provides a clue to the Emperor's identity.

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. On this leaf, the fourth in the album, the Jade Emperor 玉帝 rides over a cloud in his chariot surrounded by his retinue.

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.