Luohan in a Garden Setting

Depicting six groups of luohan and servants (45 figures total) in a landscape of rocks and clouds with willow trees, lotus flowers and a stream. Moving from top to bottom: the first group consists of five luohan and a servant; the second group consists of eight luohan and a servant; the third group consists of two luohan and a servant; the fourth consists of nine luohan and a servant; the fifth consists of six luohan with a servant on a bridge; the sixth consists of ten luohan riding on a flying carpet. At the right of the scene is a table with a ding and other vessels. One in a series with F1904.337.

Historical period(s)
Yuan or Ming dynasty, ca. 14th century
Medium
Ink and color on silk
Dimensions
H x W (image): 116 x 53.7 cm (45 11/16 x 21 1/8 in)
Geography
China
Credit Line
Gift of Charles Lang Freer
Collection
Freer Gallery of Art
Accession Number
F1904.336
On View Location
Currently not on view
Classification(s)
Painting
Type

Hanging scroll (mounted on panel)

Keywords
bridge, Buddhism, China, landscape, lotus, Ming dynasty (1368 - 1644), river, Yuan dynasty (1279 - 1368)
Provenance

To 1904
Yamanaka & Company, to 1904 [1]

From 1904 to 1919
Charles Lang Freer (1854-1919), purchased from Yamanaka & Company in 1904 [2]

From 1920
Freer Gallery of Art, gift of Charles Lang Freer in 1920 [3]

Notes:

[1] Original folder sheet note. Also see Original Kakemono and Makimono List, L. 486, Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. Sackler Gallery Archives. The majority of Charles Lang Freer’s purchases from Yamanaka & Company were made at its New York branch. Yamanaka & Company maintained branch offices, at various times, in Boston, Chicago, London, Peking, Shanghai, Osaka, Nara, and Kyoto. During the summer, the company also maintained seasonal locations in Newport, Bar Harbor, and Atlantic City.

[2] See note 1.

[3] The original deed of Charles Lang Freer's gift was signed in 1906. The collection was received in 1920 upon the completion of the Freer Gallery.

Previous Owner(s) and Custodian(s)

Charles Lang Freer 1854-1919
Yamanaka and Co. (C.L. Freer source) 1917-1965

Description

Depicting six groups of luohan and servants (45 figures total) in a landscape of rocks and clouds with willow trees, lotus flowers and a stream. Moving from top to bottom: the first group consists of five luohan and a servant; the second group consists of eight luohan and a servant; the third group consists of two luohan and a servant; the fourth consists of nine luohan and a servant; the fifth consists of six luohan with a servant on a bridge; the sixth consists of ten luohan riding on a flying carpet. At the right of the scene is a table with a ding and other vessels. One in a series with F1904.337.

Published References
  • The Daitokuji: 500 Luohans. .
  • Megumi Umezawa. Jodo-zu. no. 1359 Tokyo, January 20, 2009. p. 21, fig. 2.
Collection Area(s)
Chinese Art
Web Resources
Google Cultural Institute
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