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One hundred water buffalo

Formerly Attributed to Jiang Shen Chinese
13th century
Not on view
Myriad water buffalo spread across this gentle river landscape in scenes of play, work, and relaxation. Some are guided gently by country oxherd boys, while others are ridden around and through the cool waters, lounge by the riverside, or scratch their weary hides. While the ox sometimes featured in Buddhist images, this painting presents the ox and oxherd as symbols of the simple joys of life in river country.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • 元 佚名 (舊傳)江參 百牛圖 卷
  • Title: One hundred water buffalo
  • Artist: Unidentified artist Chinese, 13th century
  • Artist: Formerly Attributed to Jiang Shen (Chinese, active ca. 1200)
  • Period: Southern Song (1127–1279) or Yuan (1271–1368) dynasty
  • Date: 13th century
  • Culture: China
  • Medium: Handscroll; ink on paper
  • Dimensions: 12 1/2 x 87 5/16 in. (31.8 x 221.8 cm)
  • Classification: Paintings
  • Credit Line: Rogers Fund, 1918
  • Object Number: 18.124.4
  • Curatorial Department: Asian Art
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