Historical and legendary figures
Hu Zhang made his name in Shanghai’s intellectual scene and was also active in Japan. Predating Hu’s trip abroad, these four paintings belong to a twelve-leaf album delivering sensitive, sometimes humorous presentations of historical figures and poetic legends. Shown from right to left are: literary giant Han Yu (768–824) immortalized as a windswept dragon rider; poet Jia Dao (779–843) debating whether to push or knock on a door; free-spirited Mi Fu (1051–1107) bowing in reverence to a majestic rock (while his attendant stands upright); and loyal diplomat Su Wu (ca. 140 BCE–60 BCE) clutching his emissary staff while herding sheep, his brows and beard white as snow.
Artwork Details
- 清 胡璋 人物圖 冊
- Title: Historical and legendary figures
- Artist: Hu Zhang (Chinese, 1848–1899)
- Period: Qing dynasty (1644–1911)
- Date: 1873
- Culture: China
- Medium: Album of twelve leaves; ink and color on silk
- Dimensions: Image (each): 12 13/16 × 13 in. (32.5 × 33 cm)
Album (opened): 29 13/16 × 15 5/8 in. (75.7 × 39.7 cm)
Album (closed): 14 9/16 × 15 9/16 in. (37 × 39.5 cm) - Classification: Paintings
- Credit Line: Gift of Patricia and Thomas Ebrey, 2024
- Object Number: 2024.353.3
- Curatorial Department: Asian Art
More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Hu Zhang (Chinese, 1848–1899)
Hu Zhang (Chinese, 1848–1899)
dated 1887
Unidentified artist Chinese
19th century rubbing; stele dated 169 CE
Xugu (Zhu Huairen) (Chinese, 1823–1896)
1866
Xugu (Zhu Huairen) (Chinese, 1823–1896)
1894
Research Resources
The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.
To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.
Feedback
We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please contact us using the form below. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.