Szilágyi András (szerk.): Ars Decorativa 17. (Budapest, 1998)

New acquisitions 1997

In China the depiction of the figures of the Daoist world and the making of devotional offerings have always comprised an important part of the embellishment of Daoist shrines. These characteristically 19th-century paintings - which are fully identical with regard to composition and measurements, and which depict different groups of Daoist deities - are now part of the Museum's Chinese collection. In the top third of the paintings we see the central figure each depicts: General Guan Yu and General Zhao Chang, both grim-visaged and in attire denoting their rank. Guan Yu grasps his belt and strokes his beard, while Zhao Chang holds a sword in one hand and