明 佚名（仿）吳育 新安汪氏譜牒 卷|Portrait of a Member and Record of the Wang Family

The work was created in 1506 in China by an anonymous hand, likely Wu Yu, as a handscroll portrait of a Wang family member for the New安汪氏譜牒. Its medium is ink on paper with added color, measuring 33.3 × 24.8 cm. The painting entered the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it remains on display. Documentation of its acquisition is not detailed in the available records, but its inclusion in the museum’s catalogue confirms its provenance from a Chinese source to the museum’s holdings.

The handscroll is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Source records identify the work as part of the museum's holdings, with its location listed as the Metropolitan Museum of Art. No specific inventory or accession number is provided in the available documentation.

Likewise, no exhibition history is recorded in the consulted sources, and any prior loans or displays beyond the museum's own collection cannot be confirmed from the available information.

This handscroll, titled Portrait of a Member and Record of the Wang Family, is attributed to an anonymous artist imitating Wu Yu, and dates to 1506. It combines a painted portrait with extensive calligraphy, executed in ink and color on paper. More than merely an artistic depiction, the scroll served as a vital document, confirming the identity and lineage of an individual within the prominent Wang clan of Xin'an. Its format integrates visual representation with textual record-keeping.

During the Ming dynasty, scrolls like this played a significant role in Chinese society, particularly for elite families. They were not solely aesthetic objects but also practical instruments for maintaining and asserting family lineage and social standing. By combining a visual likeness with detailed genealogical information, these artifacts provided concrete proof of an individual's identity and connection to their ancestors, functioning as a comprehensive record of familial heritage and belonging.