procession of five dancing skeletons; second and third skeletons are each holding a red stamp in their hand; last two skeletons are rendered in lighter grey ink; inscription with stamps at URC

Skeletons Holding Seals, second half 19th century

expand_more

Five inky skeletons with spindly limbs dance around, two of whom grasp seals in their bony hands. We can see right through their ribcages but elsewhere their bodies have the bulk and mass of the living; indeed, they are very much alive, and although they raise their

hands as if to scare, they appear more comical than ominous. Doi, a Confucian scholar and teacher, was known as an eccentric, and his playful side is evident in these dancing figures. The red seals bear writing in seal script, one of the earliest forms of writing, while the accompanying poem at the top right is written in cursive.
無論君体評妍
魄唯觀髑髏之活動
It does not matter if you are blessed with a beautiful form;
Just look at the actions of your skull

Details
Title
Skeletons Holding Seals
Artist Life
1817 - 1881
Role
Artist
Accession Number
2013.29.890
Curator Approved

This record has been reviewed by our curatorial staff but may be incomplete. These records are frequently revised and enhanced. If you notice a mistake or have additional information about this object, please email collectionsdata@artsmia.org.

Does something look wrong with this image? Let us know

Zoom in on the left to the detail you'd like to save. Click 'Save detail' and wait until the image updates. Right click the image to 'save image as' or copy link, or click the image to open in a new tab.

procession of five dancing skeletons; second and third skeletons are each holding a red stamp in their hand; last two skeletons are rendered in lighter grey ink; inscription with stamps at URC