An Ascetic Monk Torturing Himself
1790
paint
From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum
1790
paint
From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum
Dominant colour
An Ascetic Monk Torturing Himself is a 1790 paint by Puqua, a Patna School of Painting work, held at Victoria and Albert Museum.
This painting shows a monk sitting on the ground with one leg crossed. His hands press together in front of his chest while his elbows push against his knee. A red cloth covers his head and drapes over his shoulder. Artists in Canton made these images for European buyers curious about daily life in China. The monk isn’t just praying—he’s practicing a martial art called "ching quan." The set of 100 paintings gave people abroad a look at Chinese skills and customs. Try looking up Puqua next.
A rectangular painting from a set of 100 depicting trades and occupations in Canton, it shows a central figure in black burning his forearm with a flame as part of a martial arts practice. The work is one of many produced for Europeans seeking information about China and its people. Acquired from Parsons & Sons, it was accessioned in 1898 as part of the Asia Department's holdings.
Read the full account in the museum source.
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