Taoist Immortal
Artist
Chinese
Daten.d.
Mediumsilk
Dimensions158 x 95.4 cm (62 3/16 x 37 9/16 in.)
ClassificationsPaintings
Credit LineGift of Miss Florance Waterbury
Terms
Object number1957.158
Label TextMany of the characteristics associated with Wu Wei, one of the major Zhe school painters of the Ming period, are seen in this painting of a Taoist Immortal. Compositional devices such as the division of the painting into three planes and the summary treatment of the foreground and background cut off at the edges are associated with the master and this important painting tradition. The figure subject, animated by vigorous strokes that thicken and thin, an active pose, muscular definition and large expressive eyes, as well as the narrative treatment of the subject are also typical of this school. The strong brushwork is contrasted with the soft graded washes of the rock face and the foliage.
Taoist priests have been described as living as hermits amidst the mountains, “wearing clouds and carrying a sword.” Swordsmanship was not only practiced as a means of self-defense but was also regarded as an art. The gourd was used to store mixtures made from wild plants. Taoist priests hoped that such “medicines” or elixirs would help transform them into immortals.
ProvenanceMiss Florance Waterbury, New York NYOn View
Not on view
Chinese
Wanli period (1573–1620) of the Ming dynasty (1368–1644)
