Dragons in Art
East and West imagined the dragon differently — auspicious rain-bringer in Chinese art, treasure-hoarding adversary in European legend. Both traditions are richly represented here.
1,462 public-domain artworks from six world museums · free to view and download
나전 대모 어피 용 무늬 옷상자 조선|螺鈿玳瑁魚皮龍文衣箱子 朝鮮|Clothing box decorated with dragons
Sea Dragon
Armor (<i>Gusoku</i>)
Myōchin Munesuke|Saotome Ietada, 16th and 18th centuries
금동 용머리 모양 처마 끝 장식과 작은 종 고려|金銅龍頭吐首風鐸 高麗|Rafter finial in the shape of a dragon’s head and wind chime
Bowl with dragons amid waves
Short Sword (Yatagan) from the Court of Süleyman the Magnificent (reigned 1520–66)
Ahmed Tekelü, ca. 1525–30
Dagger with Zoomorphic Hilt
"Isfandiyar's Third Course: He Slays a Dragon", Folio 434v from the Shahnama (Book of Kings) of Shah Tahmasp
Qasim ibn 'Ali|Abu'l Qasim Firdausi, ca. 1530
Album of Tournaments and Parades in Nuremberg
백자 청화 용 무늬 항아리 조선 |白磁靑畫龍文壺 朝鮮|Dragon jar
Dish with Two Intertwined Dragons
Ewer
'Saz'-Style Drawing of a Dragon Amid Foliage
Shah Quli, ca. 1540–50
明永樂 紅漆戧金雲龍紋經箱|Sutra box with dragons amid clouds
Jar with dragon
戰國 絞絲龍形玉佩|Knotted dragon pendant
Ewer with Wild Man Finial
Tapestry with Dragons and Flowers
Dragon Wrapped around Saz Leaves
Saint Margaret of Antioch
장생 무늬 화각 상자 조선|長生文華角箱子 朝鮮|Box decorated with auspicious symbols
Velvet with Figural Imagery
Shaft-hole axe head with bird-headed demon, boar, and dragon
O-daiko
Kodenji Hayashi, ca. 1873
"The Elephant Clock", Folio from a Book of the Knowledge of Ingenious Mechanical Devices by al-Jazari
Badi' al-Zaman ibn al-Razzaz al-Jazari|Farrukh ibn `Abd al-Latif, dated A.H. 715/1315 CE
Tapestry with figurative scenes
The Emperor's Carpet
Silk Animal Carpet
Pendant
Bowl with dragons
Rippling Water Hall
Jian Guzhai, late 19th–early 20th century
Imperial Robe
The Creeping Green Room
Jian Guzhai, late 19th–early 20th century
Qi Yin Tang|Beautiful Chanting Hall
Jian Guzhai, late 19th–early 20th century
Slento
Henry Hannah, late 19th century
絵本和漢誉|Picture Book on Heroes of China and Japan (Ehon wakan no homare) 絵本和漢誉
Katsushika Hokusai 葛飾北斎, 1850 (designed ca. 1836; published posthumously)
Imperial Robe
Vase
Eiraku Hozen, 1820
Upright Serpent in D
Snuff Bottle
清中期 翡翠螭龍紋帶鉤|Belt hook with dragons
Streamers
Bowl
Incense Box
Insignia Medallion
Dragon Carpet
Netsuke of Coiled Dragon Enclosing a Pearl
Teapot
Lowestoft, ca. 1770