Album of Daoist and Buddhist Themes: Procession of Daoist Deities: Leaf 18

Series Title: 佛道主題畫冊

Album of Daoist and Buddhist Themes: Procession of Daoist Deities: Leaf 18

1200s

China, Southern Song dynasty

(1127-1279)

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Medium

Album, ink on paper

Measurements

Painting: 34.2 x 38.4 cm (13 7/16 x 15 1/8 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) 2004.1.18

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Location

Not on view

Did You Know?

Zhong Kui’s bird-faced attendant carries a load of scrolls on his back.

Description

This leaf is part of an important album of 50 drawings encompassing three subjects: processions of Daoist deities to the celestial spheres, the Ten Kings of Hell, and Erlang’s Campaign to Rid Mount Guankou of Dangerous Beasts (soushan tu 搜山圖).

In this section of the Daoist pantheon, Zhong Kui 鍾馗, the hero who fights demons, is portrayed with two ghost attendants. One holds a handle at the end of which is a large wheel with drums. Thunder, which drums can evoke, is a theme of many of the Daoist Pantheon leaves in this album.