Folding screen with figures in a landscape

China

Not on view

The scenes in this set of eight pictorial panels represent prosperity in traditional Chinese ideology. Here, farmers and fishermen enjoy the harvest; craftsmen and women busily produce silk and paper; auspicious cranes and deer gather for a longevity celebration; and travelers journey on domestic and foreign ships. Carved out of soapstone and glued onto silk, these relief figures are all depicted in extreme detail. Their discernible but subtle facial expressions further demonstrate the artist’s sophisticated skill in figural representation.

Folding screen with figures in a landscape, Carved talc mounted on silk, China

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