Album of Daoist and Buddhist Themes: Procession of Daoist Deities: Leaf 7
1204
unspecified
From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art
1204
unspecified
From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art
You see a long line of gods in colorful robes floating on clouds, each holding a different object—a sword, a fan, a scroll. This painting is one page from a 50-leaf album used to teach young artists. The gods are Daoist, part of a belief system that blends nature worship and ritual. The details are so fine you can count the tassels on their belts. To see more paintings like this, look up china, southern song dynasty (1127-1279).