wall-scroll; drawing BM-1981-0406-0.1

Period:Qing dynasty Production date:17thC-18thC
Materials:paper
Technique:drawn

Dimensions:Length: 65.50 centimetres Width: 462 centimetres

Description:
Wall-scroll. Religious. Huge cast of figures, many imaginary. Drawn in ink on paper.
IMG


Comments:Pair with 1981,0406,0.2Farrer 1990, cat. 47:”This is one of two wall scrolls showing processions of Daoist figures. These were probably reduced sketches from a larger wall painting. The initial design was sketched in light link, which was finished with more detailed darker brushwork. In certain areas the artist has changed his original design by covering it over with white paint and then repainting the outline. The brushwork seen in these paintings of wall scrolls is based on the vigorous fluctuating brushwork derived from the tradition of figure painting associated with the Tang figure painter Wu Daozi (active c. 710-760). The style of Wu Daozi was invariably used for Daoist subjects, and for guardian and demonic figure types from the Buddhist pantheon. A hand scroll of the Daoist figures entitled the Five Heavenly Rulers attributed to Wu Zongyuan (died 1050) is similar in style and composition to the present scrolls.The Wall scroll provided a long horizontal format of a greater height than a hand scroll. The loops at intervals along the horizontal edges of the scroll show that it was intended to be pinned to the wall, and the roller is frequently split in two halves to lie flat on the wall.”