Zhong Kui, the Demon Queller, Patrolling the Palace

Object Details

• Artist

  Hongwu (active 1751-1792)

• Label

  The story of Zhong Kui began in the eighth century during the Tang dynasty (618-907). Once, Emperor Xuanzong (reigned 712-56) fell ill with fever and dreamt that a small demon broke into the palace and began to wreak havoc. Suddenly a dark, ugly man calling himself Zhong Kui appeared, attacked the demon, and devoured it, explaining that he was the spirit of a wronged scholar from an earlier age whose sense of loyalty compelled him to protect the throne. When the emperor awoke, his illness had miraculously vanished, so he summoned a court painter to make a portrait of the figure in his dream and had the image distributed throughout the empire as a talisman against evil spirits.

  Over the centuries, it became a common practice to hang portraits of Zhong Kui in homes at the lunar new year and on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month, when pernicious influences were said to abound. This painting shows Zhong Kui riding a donkey and patrolling the palace grounds under blossoming peach trees, which have a particular association with the cult of immortality, and therefore a long and healthy life. The legendary hero is accompanied by a retinue of subjugated demons, who carry a wine jar, brocade cushion, food boxes, and an umbrella.

• Collection

  Freer Gallery of Art Collection

• Exhibition History

  Looking Out, Looking In: Art in Late Imperial China (October 14, 2017 - ongoing)

  Tales of the Brush: Literary Masterpieces in Chinese Painting (July 28, 2007 to January 13, 2008)

  Palaces and Pavilions: Grand Architecture in Chinese Painting (September 29, 2002 to March 30, 2003)

• Origin

  China

• Credit Line

  Gift of Dr. Jack Light

• Type

  Painting

• Restrictions and Rights

  Usage Conditions Apply

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Keep Exploring

• Related Resources

  collections.si.edu

• Date

  1790s, 1750s

• Name

  Hongwu

• Place

  China

• Topic

  Wine and wine making, Pavilion, Bridges, Art, Zhong Kui, Donkey, Palace, Chinese Art, Demon, Qing dynasty (1644 - 1911), Rivers, Spring

• Culture

  Chinese

• Object Type

  Paintings