NINE LUOHAN WITH DRAGON

Description:

China, ca. 18th c.
139 x 77,5 cm, R.
Ink and colors on silk, framed and glazed. This fine painting with nine Luohan, the historic disciples of Buddha, was originally part of a pair of hanging scrolls which depicted the common set of Eighteen Luohan. It is done in the style of the Song dynasty with elegant lines and bright colors. The use of slight shadowing in the faces point to a later date of execution, perhaps in the eighteenth century. In the upper center of the painting the Luohan Pindola may be depicted rising one of his long eye brows. The red figure at the upper left could be Panthaka, who is taming the dragon with a pearl in his left hand. The dragon curls at the lower right amidst clouds and waves of water. The other Luohan are also depicted very lively with expressive faces and with their attributes. Some are accompanied by attendants. Blue and green landscapes elements, a pine and bamboo complement the composition.
Old German private collection, assembled before 1990 - Minor traces of age