Artwork Page for Ancestor Group Portrait

Details / Information for Ancestor Group Portrait

Ancestor Group Portrait

1796–1820

China, Qing dynasty (1644-1911), Jiaqing period

(1796-1820)
Medium
Hanging scroll; ink and color on paper
Measurements
Overall: 278.2 x 112.2 cm (109 1/2 x 44 3/16 in.); Painting only: 157.2 x 90.2 cm (61 7/8 x 35 1/2 in.)
Credit Line
Gift of Joyce G. Ames in honor of her husband B. Charles Ames 2019.82
Public Domain
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Location
Not on view
Print
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Did You Know?

Court officials' wives could wear the same rank badge as their spouses.

Description

From top to bottom this scroll features various generations of ancestors with men on the right and women on the left, 30 figures altogether. Inscribed tablets give their rank and relation within the family. Square badges on their robes indicate each figure's rank as an official. Scrolls of this type were displayed for worship at home during the New Year celebrations.
A vertically oriented ink and color hanging scroll depicts twenty-seven figures in tiered rows. On the left, women wear vibrant emerald, scarlet, and indigo robes with ornate jeweled headpieces and badges patterned with white birds. To the right, men in blue, gray, and black robes wear red-topped hats. All figures look directly at us with light skin tones. At the top, an altar table sits behind them. Vertical black text appears on white tags.

Ancestor Group Portrait

1796–1820

China, Qing dynasty (1644-1911), Jiaqing period (1796-1820)

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