The Cleveland Museum of Art

Collection Online as of December 13, 2025

Album of Daoist and Buddhist Themes: Procession of Daoist Deities: Leaf 4

1200s

China, Southern Song dynasty

(1127-1279)
album, ink on paper
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.)
John L. Severance Fund in honor of Dr. Ju-hsi Chou and Gift of various donors to the department of Asian Art (by exchange) 2004.1.4
Location: Not on view

Did You Know?

A demonic figure on the far left of the entourage is carrying a hunting dog on his shoulder.

Description

Leaf 4 depicts one of the sanguan 三官大帝 (Three Officials of Heaven, Earth, and Water) in the Daoist pantheon. These "officials" work as intermediaries between human beings and the bureaucracy of the netherworld. This deity, riding on a lively steed, most likely represents the "Official of Earth" 地官. Leading the way, his entourage includes a host of protective guards who carry his sword and chair, hoist his parasol and flags, or simply hold their own weapons. These figures all walk on clouds, moving along with a strong wind that causes the parasol and flags to flutter, creating a sense of overall motion.
  • Wang Hui 王翬 [1632–1717]
    Li Jiale 李嘉樂 [jinshi of 1863]
    Zhu Hang 朱沆 [active 19th century]
    1910–?
    Dr. F. R. (Fredrik Robert) Martin [1868–1933], Stockholm, Sweden, and Munich, Germany
    ?–1947
    Mrs. L. M. Morris [20th century], England
    March 25, 1947
    (Sotheby's, London, sale, 25 March 1947, lot 118, sold to Stephen Junkunc III)
    1947–78
    István “Stephen" Junkunc III [1904–1978], by descent to his son Stephen Junkunc IV
    1978–2004
    (Stephen Junkunc IV [b. 1937], Miami, FL, sold to the Cleveland Museum of Art)
    2004–
    The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH
  • Martin, F. R. Zeichnungen nach Wu tao-tze aus der götter- und sagenwelt Chinas. München: F. Bruckmann a.g, 1913.
    Chou, Ju-hsi and Anita Chung. Silent poetry: Chinese paintings from the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. Cleveland, OH: Cleveland Museum of Art, 2015. Reproduced: pp. 174-195
  • Recent Acquisitions. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (March 29–May 11, 2004).
  • {{cite web|title=Album of Daoist and Buddhist Themes: Procession of Daoist Deities: Leaf 4|url=false|author=|year=1200s|access-date=13 December 2025|publisher=Cleveland Museum of Art}}

Source URL:

https://www.clevelandart.org/art/2004.1.4