The Eighteen Sages of the Lotus Society
Qing dynasty (1644–1911), 18th–19th century
Medium
Handscroll; ink and color on silk
Dimensions
30 × 316.5 cm (11 13/16 × 124 5/8 in.)
Classification
handscroll
Department
Arts of Asia
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
49021
Art Historical Context
Welcome to the Art Institute of Chicago's Arts of Asia collection, where *The Eighteen Sages of Lotus Society* unfolds as a captivating Qing dynasty handscroll (1644–1911). Created in the 18th–19th by an unknown artist, this ink and color on silk painting measures 30 × .5 cm, designed to be slowly unrolled for intimate viewing. It portrays eighteen revered sages gathered in a harmonious setting, evoking the intellectual camaraderie of the Lotus Society—a nod to scholarly gatherings that flourished during the Qing era, blending Confucian ideals with poetic refinement. Handscrolls like this wer...
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...