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The Ten Kings of Purgatory: King Songdi of the Third Court

Unknown

1800

paint

From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum

Ming Painting Romanticism Early 19th Century

Dominant colour

The Ten Kings of Purgatory: King Songdi of the Third Court is a 1800 paint by Unknown, a Ming Painting work, held at Victoria and Albert Museum.

Who painted this?: Unknown
When & what style?: 1800 · Ming Painting
Where can I see it?: Victoria and Albert Museum

About this work

This painting shows a colorful scene with many figures. In the center, a man sits on a throne, wearing a red robe with blue and green accents. He has a long white beard and holds a scepter. Around him, other figures are shown in various poses, some standing, others sitting or kneeling. The background is a mix of colors, including red, blue, and gold. The painting is very detailed, with intricate designs on the throne and the figures' clothing. The colors are bright and vivid, giving the scene a sense of energy and movement. If you're interested in learning more about this style of painting, you might want to explore the Romanticism movement.

The story of this work

Overview

A painting titled *The Ten Kings of Purgatory: King Songdi of the Third Court* was created in 1800 by an unknown artist. It was donated by Miss Fortescue and entered the collection in 1869, as recorded in the Asia Department registers during a 2022 provenance research project.

Read the full account in the museum source.