In the event of a government shutdown, the National Museum of Asian Art will remain OPEN through at least Saturday, October 7, by using prior year funds. Visit si.edu for updates.
Smithsonian National Museum of Asian Art National Museum of Asian Art
Toggle Menu Search

Site Search

The Collections and Archives

Search The Collections

Nymph of the Luo River 洛神圖

Detail of a pattern
Image 1 of 2
IIIF

Terms of Use

Usage Conditions Apply

At A Glance

  • Period

    mid-12th to mid-13th century

  • Geography

    China

  • Material

    Ink and color on silk

  • Dimension

    H x W (image): 24.2 x 310.9 cm (9 1/2 x 122 3/8 in)

  • Accession Number

    F1914.53

  • EDAN ID

    edanmdm:fsg_F1914.53

Object Details

  • Artist

    Traditionally attributed to Gu Kaizhi (傳)顧愷之 (ca. 344-ca. 406)

  • Colophon

    Colophon by Dong Qichang 董其昌 (1555-1636)

  • Provenance

    Li Lung-mien [1]
    Duanfang (1861-1911) [2]
    To 1914
    Dr. John Calvin Ferguson (1866-1945), Beijing, to 1914 [3]
    From 1914 to 1919
    Charles Lang Freer (1854-1919), purchased from Dr. John C. Ferguson in 1914 [4]
    From 1920
    Freer Gallery of Art, gift of Charles Lang Freer in 1920 [5]
    Notes:
    [1] See Curatorial Remark 3, Ma Soo, 1917, in the object record. This object exhibits seals, colophons, or inscriptions that could provide additional information regarding the object’s history; see Curatorial Remarks in the object record for further details.
    [2] See Curatorial Remark 9, James F. Cahill, 1958, in the object record. According to Ingrid Larsen, "'Don’t Send Ming or Later Pictures': Charles Lang Freer and the First Major Collection of Chinese Painting in an American Museum," Ars Orientalis vol. 40 (2011), pgs. 19-20, "Ferguson became a Chinese art scholar and dealer who helped Freer acquire perhaps the most famous painting in Duanfang's collection, Nymph of the Luo River..."
    [3] See Original Kakemono and Makimono List, L. 832, Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. Sackler Gallery Archives.
    [4] See note 1.
    [5] The original deed of Charles Lang Freer's gift was signed in 1906. The collection was received in 1920 upon the completion of the Freer Gallery.

  • Collection

    Freer Gallery of Art Collection

  • Exhibition History

    Setting the Bar: Arts of the Song dynasty (October 14, 2017 - ongoing)
    Masterpieces of Chinese Painting (IV) (June 12 to November 28, 2010)
    Tales of the Brush: Chinese Painting with Literary Themes (February 9 to July 27, 2008)
    Boating on a River (February 12 to August 14, 2005)
    Masterpieces of Chinese Painting (III) (May 29, 1999 to January 30, 2000)
    Masterpieces of Chinese Painting (II) (May 9 to December 6, 1993)
    Masterpieces of Chinese Painting (I) (August 3, 1984 to February 7, 1985)
    Chinese Figure Painting (September 17, 1973 to January 3, 1975)
    Chinese Art (January 1, 1963 to March 6, 1981)
    Chinese Paintings (June 5, 1957 to January 1, 1963)
    Untitled Exhibition, Chinese Painting, East Corridor (November 10, 1955 to February 25, 1956)
    Untitled Exhibition, Chinese Painting, Gallery 1, 1955 (April 11, 1955 to December 12, 1955)
    Untitled Exhibition, Chinese Painting and Calligraphy, 1947 (January 7, 1947 to April 11, 1955)
    Special Exhibition, Chinese Art, 1946 (August 7, 1946 to January 7, 1947)
    Untitled Exhibition, Chinese Metalwork, Pottery, and Painting (March 23, 1944 to May 2, 1946)
    Untitled Exhibition, Chinese Painting and Metalwork, 1943 (October 4, 1943 to March 23, 1944)
    Untitled Exhibition, Chinese Paintings, 1924 (June 2, 1924 to March 14, 1931)
    Chinese Panels and Scrolls (May 2, 1923 to June 2, 1924)

  • Previous custodian or owner

    Duanfang 端方 (1861-1911)
    John Calvin Ferguson (1866-1945) (C.L. Freer source)
    Charles Lang Freer (1854-1919)

  • Origin

    China

  • Credit Line

    Gift of Charles Lang Freer

  • Type

    Painting

  • Restrictions and Rights

    Usage Conditions Apply

    There are restrictions for re-using this media. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page.

    The information presented on this website may be revised and updated at any time as ongoing research progresses or as otherwise warranted. Pending any such revisions and updates, information on this site may be incomplete or inaccurate or may contain typographical errors. Neither the Smithsonian nor its regents, officers, employees, or agents make any representations about the accuracy, reliability, completeness, or timeliness of the information on the site. Use this site and the information provided on it subject to your own judgment. The National Museum of Asian Art welcomes information that would augment or clarify the ownership history of objects in their collections.

Keep Exploring

  • 1050 Independence Ave. SW
    Washington, DC 20013
    202.633.1000

© 2023 Smithsonian Institution