Who painted The Lantern Night Excursion of Zhong Kui?

The Lantern Night Excursion of Zhong Kui was painted by Yan Hui in 1287-01-01.

Where can I see The Lantern Night Excursion of Zhong Kui?

The Lantern Night Excursion of Zhong Kui is held by Cleveland Museum of Art.

What movement is The Lantern Night Excursion of Zhong Kui?

The Lantern Night Excursion of Zhong Kui is associated with Ming dynasty painting.

Artwork

The Lantern Night Excursion of Zhong Kui

Yan Hui , 1294

The Lantern Night Excursion of Zhong Kui is an unspecified painting by the Ming dynasty painting artist Yan Hui. It dates from 1294 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

About this work

History & Provenance

The painting The Lantern Night Excursion of Zhong Kui was created in 1287 by Yan Hui, a Chinese artist active between 1270 and 1310.

The painting The Lantern Night Excursion of Zhong Kui was created in 1287 by Yan Hui, a Chinese artist active between 1270 and 1310. The work is listed as part of the Cleveland Museum of Art’s holdings, where it is catalogued under accession number 1961.206. Its provenance prior to acquisition by the museum is not documented in the available sources.

The painting is held by the Cleveland Museum of Art, where it is recorded under the accession number 1961.206. The work entered the museum’s collection in 1961. As of the documented record, no exhibitions are listed in connection with this painting.

Overview

Created in 1294 by the Chinese artist Yan Hui, this long, narrow hand‑scroll belongs to the late Southern Song and early Yuan period. Executed in the ming (ink‑on‑paper) technique, the work is now part of the Cleveland Museum of Art’s collection. It portrays a nocturnal procession centered on the mythic figure Zhong Kui, rendered with a compact, lively composition.

Subject & Meaning

The scene follows Zhong Kui, a famed demon‑queller, as he leads a group through a night landscape. Participants carry lanterns, umbrellas and weapons, suggesting a ritual or protective march. The title’s reference to a “lantern night excursion” implies a journey undertaken under darkness, perhaps to confront or dispel malevolent forces.

Technique & Style

Yan Hui’s brushwork is noted for its precision and fluidity. Figures are rendered with swift, energetic strokes that convey motion, while the background consists of a warm, muted brown wash punctuated by darker outlines. The limited palette and restrained detailing focus attention on the dynamic poses of the characters.

Context

Zhong Kui appears frequently in Chinese folklore as a guardian against evil spirits. In the late 13th century, such subjects were popular in both court and literati circles, serving both decorative and didactic purposes. Yan Hui’s work aligns with contemporary interests in supernatural themes rendered through refined brush techniques.

Artist & collection

Artist

Yan Hui

Yan Hui (simplified Chinese: 颜辉; traditional Chinese: 顏輝; pinyin: Yán Huī; Wade–Giles: Yen Hui); was a late 13th-century Chinese painter who lived during the Southern Song and early Yuan dynasties.