Lohan under a canopy; a lion, and two attendants
18th century
Classification
Painting
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Gift of Charles Lang Freer
Accession Number
F1911.278
Tags
About this artwork
To 1911
Art Historical Context
Nestled in the Smithsonian American Art Museum's collection *Lohan under a Canopy; a Lion, and Two Attendants* is a captivating 18th-century Chinese painting from the Qing (1644–1911). This work depicts a serene Arhat (Lohan)—one of the enlightened disciples of Buddha—seated beneath a protective canopy, accompanied by a majestic lion symbolizing guardianship and two devoted attendants. Such scenes were common in Chinese Buddhist art, emphasizing spiritual protection and devotion during a period when Qing emperors patronized Buddhism to unify diverse populations. The painting's artistic signif...
About the Artist
Unknown
The artist designated as "Unknown" in our virtual museum's collection exemplifies a poignant chapter in art history: creators whose identities have faded into obscurity despite the enduring power of their work. With only one known artwork attributed to them in our holdings, this figure represents countless anonymous hands that shaped visual culture across centuries. Museums worldwide, including th...