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Historical Asian Art and Performances

Illustrations of traditional scenes featuring iconic figures, dancers, and celestial events, with detailed costumes and motifs reflecting rich cultural heritage.

Artist: Ning Zhai, Chinese, active late 15th-early 16th century, Daoist Immortal Han Xiangzi with anAttendant, late 15th-early 16thcentury, Hanging scrol, I, ink and color on silk, without mounting: 63 1/4 × 38 1/8 in. (160.7 × 96.8 cm), The flute identifies this figure as Han Xiangzi, one of a group of eight quasi-historical immortals who became popular in twelfth-century China as the Daoist religious tradition consolidated and expanded. He is accompanied by a young attendant who holds a type of fungi known as a lingzhi, which was thought to have hallucinogenic powers and provide immortality. The feather cape worn by the attendant is a standard visual allusion to the otherworldliness of the immortals and theirretinues. , China, Chinese, Ming dynasty(1368-1644), Paintings
Artist: Ning Zhai, Chinese, active late 15th-early 16th century, Daoist Immortal Han Xiangzi with anAttendant, late 15th-early 16thcentury, Hanging scrol, I, ink and color on silk, without mounting: 63 1/4 × 38 1/8 in. (160.7 × 96.8 cm), The flute identifies this figure as Han Xiangzi, one of a group of eight quasi-historical immortals who became popular in twelfth-century China as the Daoist religious tradition consolidated and expanded. He is accompanied by a young attendant who holds a type of fungi known as a lingzhi, which was thought to have hallucinogenic powers and provide immortality. The feather cape worn by the attendant is a standard visual allusion to the otherworldliness of the immortals and theirretinues. , China, Chinese, Ming dynasty(1368-1644), Paintings
130 assets in this story
7012-71502826
Bhutan, Thimphu. Tashichhoedzong (aka Tashichho Dzong) historic Buddhist monastery and fortress, the seat of Bhutan's civil government. Detail of wall painting.
6145-29125786
Heavy Snow at Tōshōgū Shrine in Ueno. Kobayashi Kiyochika (Japan, 1847-1915). Japan, 1879, 7th month. Prints; woodblocks. Color woodblock print
1899-17632792
Merry Cemetery, Sapanta, Maramures, Romania
1558-14994143
Asia, Japan, Nihon, Nippon, Kyoto, Japanese calligraphy
4220-20416824
Matrushka Doll illustration with St Nicholas as the largest figure and the recipients of his Christmas gifts - a slowly diminishing (in size!) group of children Date: circa 1920s
4408-9564
Little Swallows Fly, Chinese Communist Propaganda
6145-29261653
A man sitting in a covered palkhi with dragons on either ends, carried by four men on their shoulders. Gouache painting on mica by an Indian artist.
1397R-70885
Traditional Chinese Painting, Lucky Patterns, longevity
7222-71297607
Asia, India, Detail of mural, Likir Gompa
4272-32070
Reflection of lanterns on Chinese characters, Taichung, Taiwan
1899-67417243
This print showing Garuda dates to 1913. Garuda, in Hindu mythology, the bird (a kite or an eagle) and the vahana (mount) of the god Vishnu. In the Rigveda, the sun is compared to a bird in its flight across the sky, and an eagle carries the ambrosial soma plant from heaven to earth. The mythological account of Garuda's birth in the Mahabharata identifies him as the younger brother of Aruna, the charioteer of the sun god, Surya.
1899-18717919
This painting, by an unknown Burmese artist, is from a watercolour sketch album dating from c.1897 that includes illustrations of Buddhist monks, the Buddha, monasteries, cremations and domestic scenes. Legend attributes the first Buddhist doctrine in Burma to 228 BCE when Sohn Uttar Sthavira, one of the royal monks to Emperor Ashoka the Great of India, came to the country with other monks and sacred texts. However, the era of Buddhism truly began in the 11th century after King Anawrahta of Pagan (Bagan) was converted to Theravada Buddhism. Today, 89% of the population of Burma is Theravada Buddhist.
6145-48701047
Japanese dolls , Dolls. Louis Prang & Company Collection
260-1089
Portrait of Zen Master Hotto Kokushi (Known as Kakushin) ca. 1286 Asian Art Wood Cleveland Museum of Art, Ohio
1848-50242710
Clothing, fashion in Burma and Siam, from left, a lady from Mandalai, a Buddhist priest and a dancer from Burma, then the royal family of Siam in traditional court costume, digitally restored reproduction of an original 19th century original.
6145-29825510
Cherry Blossom Viewing at Itsukushima and Yoshino first half of the 17th century Japan Both of these famous sites, or meisho, are celebrated for their scenic beauty and religious associations, but here sheer enjoyment and celebration of a beautiful spring day among people of all classes on holiday take center stage. The panoramic view of the rolling hills of Yoshino, near the ancient capital of Nara, is depicted on the right. The buildings of Itsukushima Shrine, near Hiroshima, are depicted rising from the water on the left. Each scene is framed in golden clouds, creating a dramatic setting for the many vignettes of dancing, picnicking, and pilgrimage. The historic Itsukushima Shrine complex earned recognition as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996 and remains a popular pilgrimage and tourist destination.. Cherry Blossom Viewing at Itsukushima and Yoshino. Japan. first half of the 17th century. Pair of six-panel folding screens; ink, color, and gold leaf on paper. Edo period (1615-186
1788-22041468
Scenes of everyday life, women with umbrellas, colourful glass mosaic, Wat Xieng Thong Temple, Luang Phrabang (Unesco World Heritage List, 1995), Laos.
6145-29255047
A man or deity. Watercolour attributed to a Chinese painter.
6188-64710166
chinese culture chinese traditional drawing and writing Copyright: xZoonar.com/szefeix 4452727
4409-7856
The Birth of Christ - 1896 - 96x131 cm - oil on canvas. Author: PAUL GAUGUIN. Location: BAYERISCHES NATIONALMUSEUM. MUNICH. GERMANY. CHILD JESUS. VIRGIN MARY. SAN JOSE ESPOSO DE LA VIRGEN MARIA.
1848-49447063
Old painting of soldiers in the Jesuit Mission church of San Jose de Chiquitos, Chiquitos Province, Santa Cruz, Bolivia, South America
1890-109911
Painting of monk and tiger, Seoul, South Korea, Asia
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Playing Samisen, Tsudzumi, Fuye and Taiko. Kusakabe Kimbei (Japanese, 1841 - 1934)
1899-28900311
Ba Vang buddhist temple. Life of the Buddha. A wild elephant tamed by loving kindness. Uong Bi. Vietnam.
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Publicidad. Cartel de promoción turística de Semana Santa en Castilla. Años 1950.
1848-54723596
Traditional Bhutanese motif, Four Harmonious Friends or Thunpa Pushi, Phuentsholing, Bhutan, South Asia, Asia
1899-18852751
Nats are spirits worshipped in Burma in conjunction with Buddhism. They are divided between the 37 Great Nats and all the rest (i.e., spirits of trees, water, etc). Almost all of the 37 Great Nats were human beings who met violent deaths. According to Sir Richard Carnac Temple, who wrote the definitive English language study on The Thirty-Seven Nats in 1906, all Burmese natwith two exceptions, including Thagya Natare the spirits either of former royalty, or of persons connected with royalty. Most lived between the 13th and 17th centuries, and nowadays each is associated with a special cult, that is a specific ceremony or festival, together with an appropriate place and time for performing it. The Four Kings of the Zatumaharit Heaven are (left to right): Daddarata Nat Min (Dhatarattha), King of the East [North; Virulaka Nat Min (Virulhaka), King of the South; Virupekka Nat Min (Virupakkha), King of the West; Kuvera or Wethawun Nat Min (Kuvera or Vessavana), King of the North [East.
1525-24853580
Close-up of tarot cards
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Hase-dera temple, Kamakura, Japan.
1899-18855655
The Boxer Rebellion, also known as Boxer Uprising or Yihetuan Movement, was a proto-nationalist movement by the Righteous Harmony Society in China between 1898 and 1901, opposing foreign imperialism and Christianity. The uprising took place in response to foreign spheres of influence in China, with grievances ranging from opium traders, political invasion, economic manipulation, to missionary evangelism. In China, popular sentiment remained resistant to foreign influences, and anger rose over the 'unequal treaties', which the weak Qing state could not resist. Concerns grew that missionaries and Chinese Christians could use this decline to their advantage, appropriating lands and property of unwilling Chinese peasants to give to the church. This sentiment resulted in violent revolts against foreign interests.