신귀도권(전권) 견본채색 26.5x53.3 고궁박물원 소장

Zhang Gui

신귀도권(전권) 견본채색 26.5x53.3 고궁박물원 소장 by Zhang Gui

Imagine a birthday card for an emperor, but make it a masterpiece. This handscroll features a 'Divine Turtle' swimming through dark, rippling water on the far right, rendered with meticulous, net-like lines that create a sense of deep, moving current. The turtle, a powerful symbol of longevity and stability in Chinese culture, is the visual anchor for the rest of the scroll, which is filled with elegant calligraphy. These inscriptions, including a date from the Ming Dynasty's Chenghua era (1485), likely offer poetic praises for the ruler's long life ('Wan Shou'), turning the artwork into a sophisticated political tribute.

Technique
Ink and color on silk
Material
Silk

Location: The Palace Museum, Beijing

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