Where can I see 明佚名遊行天王圖軸|Journey of the Tianwang (Devaradja)?

明佚名遊行天王圖軸|Journey of the Tianwang (Devaradja) is held by Metropolitan Museum of Art.

What movement is 明佚名遊行天王圖軸|Journey of the Tianwang (Devaradja)?

明佚名遊行天王圖軸|Journey of the Tianwang (Devaradja) is associated with Ming dynasty painting.

Artwork

明佚名遊行天王圖軸|Journey of the Tianwang (Devaradja)

明佚名遊行天王圖軸|Journey of the Tianwang (Devaradja) is an ink painting. It dates from 1599 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. This hanging scroll, titled Journey of the Tianwang (Devaradja), is an anonymous work from the Ming dynasty.

About this work

Subject & Meaning

The work’s classification as a mythological painting and its dating to 1599 reinforce its role as a visual account of this legendary procession.

The hanging scroll portrays a mythological scene that includes an elephant and a human figure, elements identified as part of the Tianwang (Devaradja) narrative. In the iconography of Chinese mythology, the elephant often conveys strength and auspiciousness, while the human presence suggests a divine or royal interlocutor. Together they illustrate the journey of the celestial king, a story that underscores authority and cosmic order.

The work’s classification as a mythological painting and its dating to 1599 reinforce its role as a visual account of this legendary procession. The combination of these symbols communicates the reverence for the Tianwang deity and the ceremonial significance of his passage.

Technique & Style

Created in 1599, this hanging scroll utilizes ink and mineral pigments applied to a silk support. The work exemplifies traditional Chinese mythological painting, depicting a procession featuring an elephant and a male figure. As an anonymous piece from the Ming dynasty, the composition relies on the linear precision and color application characteristic of the period's religious or narrative scrolls.

The use of silk as a ground allows for the smooth blending of colors and fine detail in the rendering of the figures and the animal.

History & Provenance

The painting is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. According to the associated Wikidata record, it is part of the museum's holdings, with its location listed as the Metropolitan Museum of Art. No specific inventory or accession number is documented in the available sources, and no exhibition history is recorded.

Overview

This hanging scroll, titled Journey of the Tianwang (Devaradja), is an anonymous work from the Ming dynasty. Executed with ink and color on silk, the painting depicts a procession featuring figures and elephants. It illustrates a scene rooted in Chinese mythology, inviting viewers to observe a narrative journey.

The artwork is a representative example of traditional Chinese painting, offering insights into historical artistic practices and cultural narratives.

聖徳太子孝養図 (Shotoku Taishi kōyō zu)"|Prince Shōtoku at Age Sixteen, Toba Sōjō

Artist & collection

Museum

Metropolitan Museum of Art

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