Ancestor Portrait
Original Language Title祖先肖像
CultureChinese
Date17th century
MediumHanging scroll; color on silk
DimensionsOverall: 31 1/4 × 47 1/2 inches (79.38 × 120.65 cm)
Credit LinePurchase: William Rockhill Nelson Trust
Object number35-155
On View
Not on viewCollections
DescriptionDark plum colored, fur lined robe over official coat, and coral necklace.Exhibition HistoryEmperors, Scholars and Temples: Tastemakers of China’s Ming and Qing Dynasties, The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, August 12, 2016 – July 9, 2017.
This unnamed gentleman poses in the attire of a Qing imperial official. The man’s badge on his chest, hat and court necklace suggest that he probably ranked fifth out of the nine grades of civil officials. (Examples of these objects are located nearby). Chinese ancestor portraits like this were often created after the sitter passed away. His facial features were likely idealized, and his costume might have been embellished to reflect a higher status than what he actually held.
Yung Ku Chai (Beijing);
Purchased from Yung Ku Chai through Laurence Sickman by The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, Kansas City, MO, 1935.
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