Twenty-five bust portraits of famous scholars
A series of twenty-five bust portraits spreads across this handscroll like a procession. Close examination of the paper reveals that each portrait was originally labeled, but these labels were removed prior to the painting’s entry into The Met collection, so it is difficult to identify the figures. They appear to be famous scholars from throughout Chinese history; the man with the distinctive dark beard and tall black hat near the end bears a striking resemblance to other portraits of the scholar and statesman Wang Yangming (1472–1529). Further research may reveal the identities of other figures.
Artwork Details
- 明 佚名 二十五名儒像 卷
- Title: Twenty-five bust portraits of famous scholars
- Artist: Unidentified artist
- Period: Ming Dynasty (1368–1644)
- Date: 16th or 17th century
- Culture: China
- Medium: Handscroll; ink and color on paper
- Dimensions: 11 1/4 x 123 3/4 in. (28.6 x 314.3 cm)
- Classification: Paintings
- Credit Line: Seymour Fund, 1955
- Object Number: 55.37
- Curatorial Department: Asian Art
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