Door Guard Yuchi Gong
Returned to lender
This work of art was on loan to the museum and has since been returned to its lender.The large nose, bulging eyes, and full beard identify this figure as General Yuchi Gong (585–658), of Central Asian origin, who made a significant contribution to the founding of the Tang dynasty (618–907). It is said that he and General Qin Qiong (d. 638) went to stand guard outside the imperial chamber door when the emperor was disturbed by noisy demons at night. Later, to relieve them of their nightly duty, the emperor ordered their portraits painted on his doors.
The pair first appeared in prints as door guards in the sixteenth century, and soon gained wide popularity as household items. Typical of the prints made in Mianzhu, this work features bold lines and bright designs enriched with gold applied by stencil.
The pair first appeared in prints as door guards in the sixteenth century, and soon gained wide popularity as household items. Typical of the prints made in Mianzhu, this work features bold lines and bright designs enriched with gold applied by stencil.
Artwork Details
- Yuchi Gong
- Title: Door Guard Yuchi Gong
- Period: Qing dynasty (1644–1911)
- Date: early 20th century
- Culture: China
- Medium: Woodblock print; ink and color on paper with additional hand coloring
- Dimensions: Image: 20 7/8 x 11 in. (53 x 28 cm)
Overall: 26 15/16 x 20 in. (68.4 x 50.8 cm) - Classification: Prints
- Credit Line: On loan from the British Museum
- Curatorial Department: Asian Art