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New Year picture of the “Legend of the White Snake”

early 20th century
Not on view
This colorful poster was used to decorate the house around the new year. It depicts a scene in the folktale the “Legend of the White Snake” when the scholar Xu Xian makes offerings at a pagoda. His wife, the White Snake in human form, has been locked in the monastery’s dungeon by the cold-hearted abbot. As Xu bows to read a prayer, the spirit of the White Snake appears from within the pagoda.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • 現代 彩印木刻年畫《白蛇傳》“祭塔”戲景
  • Title: New Year picture of the “Legend of the White Snake”
  • Artist: Unidentified artist(s) , early 20th century
  • Period: Republic period (1912‒49)
  • Date: early 20th century
  • Culture: China
  • Medium: Polychrome woodblock print; ink and color on paper
  • Dimensions: Image: 20 × 11 1/16 in. (50.8 × 28.1 cm)
  • Classification: Prints
  • Credit Line: Purchase, Bequest of Dorothy Graham Bennett, 1989
  • Object Number: CP437
  • Curatorial Department: Asian Art

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