Dragons in clouds
Classification
Painting
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Gift of Charles Lang Freer
Accession Number
F1909.378a-h
Tags
About this artwork
To 1909
Art Historical Context
"Dragons in Clouds" is a captivating painting by Zhou Xun (1649-1729), created in 1684 during China's Qing dynasty (1644-1911). This work exemplifies traditional Chinese art, where sinuous dragons emerge from swirling mists, embodying power, auspiciousness, and imperial might. Dragons were potent symbols in Chinese culture, often associated with the emperor and the heavens making this motif a favorite in courtly and scholarly painting. As a Qing-era piece, the artwork reflects the dynasty's artistic flourishing, blending meticulous brushwork with imaginative compositions typical of literati p...