Daoist Immortals in the Mountains
Classification
Painting
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Gift of Charles Lang Freer
Accession Number
F1911.179
Tags
Charles Lang Freer collectionChinaChinese ArtDaoismDaoist ImmortalsMing dynasty (1368 - 1644)mountain
About this artwork
Braving the waves and flying on cranes, immortals arrive at a Daoist palace atop a bank of clouds and skyscraping peaks to pay homage to Jen, the God of Infinity. Because immortals were believed to prefer living in high buildings, Daoist architecture is rife with towers and pavilions. The blazing light behind the building marks its extraordinary status as an immortal palace.