Artwork

Album of Daoist and Buddhist Themes: Procession of Daoist Deities: Leaf 5

Album of Daoist and Buddhist Themes: Procession of Daoist Deities: Leaf 5 is an unspecified painting by the Song dynasty painting artist Unknown. It dates from 1204 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. This album contains 50 paintings on religious themes, likely created by multiple artists as a teaching tool for studio apprentices.

Accession no.: 2004.1.5
Credit line: John L. Severance Fund in honor of Dr. Ju-hsi Chou and Gift of various donors to the department of Asian Art (by exchange)

About this work

You see a long line of gods in colorful robes floating on clouds, each holding a different object like a sword or a scroll.

This painting was made as a teaching tool, artists copied it to learn how to paint religious scenes. The details are tiny but precise, showing how much care went into every figure.

If you like this, look up more about china, southern song dynasty (1127-1279).

Overview

This album contains 50 paintings on religious themes, likely created by multiple artists as a teaching tool for studio apprentices.

Subject & Meaning

The fifth leaf depicts a procession of Daoist deities, showcasing the Jade Emperor and other gods, each holding distinct objects such as swords or scrolls, floating on clouds.

Technique & Style

The painting features intricate, precise details, demonstrating the care taken in rendering each figure, and was intended to be copied by artists to learn techniques for depicting religious scenes.

Context

The album is divided into sections, with the first 26 leaves focusing on Daoist themes, followed by Buddhist subjects, and concluding with a narrative scene titled 'Clearing the Mountains'.