nine black, grey, brown and flesh-tone drawings of men, attendants and animals; text panels at front and back

The Eighteen Lohans, c. 1690

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This highly imaginative series of paintings depicts the eighteen Buddhist Luohan with heavily distorted features in almost cartoonlike imagery. Luohan, also knowns as arhats, are enlightened disciples of Buddha and protectors of the Buddhist law. The artist Leng Mei was a leading court artist capable of a superb outline style (baimiao) and brilliantly colored figures that display Western-style modeling in facial features and shadows. Leng’s extraordinary fantasy beasts, the Luohan's vehicles and sidekicks, possess a nightmarish charm that is humorous and original.

Details
Title
The Eighteen Lohans
Artist Life
active late 17th-early 18th century
Role
Artist
Accession Number
2001.71
Curator Approved

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nine black, grey, brown and flesh-tone drawings of men, attendants and animals; text panels at front and back