Collection of Paintings showing Military Officials
Medium
Set of seventeen paintings tied together; watercolor on paper
Dimensions
10 1/16 x 6 3/4 in. (25.6 x 17.1 cm)
Classification
Paintings
Culture & Period
China · Qing dynasty (1644–1911)
Department
Asian Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of Martin S. Rosenblatt, 1957
Accession Number
57.109a–q
Tags
Art Historical Context
This charming collection of seventeen watercolor paintings on paper, tied together like a intimate album, offers a glimpse into the military world of China's Qing dynasty (16441911). Measuring just 10 1/16 x 6 3/4 inches, the set depicts male military officials, likely portraits that highlight the era's emphasis on hierarchy and martial prowess under Manchu rule. Created by an unidentified artist, it exemplifies the portable, personal art forms popular in Qing China, where such bound volumes could serve as references, gifts, or memorials. Watercolor on paper was a favored medium for its fluid...