The Sixteen Luohans

Qiu Ying

An item at Metropolitan Museum of Art

Best known for his paintings rendered in brilliant mineral colors, Qiu Ying sometimes worked in ink alone to demonstrate his skill as a draftsman. In this dynamic procession of luohans and their attendants, the figures are enlivened through exquisitely controlled, undulating and folded brush lines and luminous graded washes. Qiu's enthusiasm for detail is evident in the remarkable individualization of the holy men's eccentric features and the delicate textile designs of their robes. Although the artist's inscription credits the monk-artist Guanxiu (832–912) as the source of his inspiration, the ninth-century master's grotesque luohans have here been replaced by elegant Sinicized ascetics. Reflecting the blending of Buddhism and Confucianism in later Chinese culture, this procession of luohans is shown ceremoniously escorting a Chinese scholar—identifiable by his tall cap and full robes—and his retinue out of the clouds.

Asian Art

An exhibit at Metropolitan Museum of Art

The Met's collection of Asian art—more than 35,000 objects, ranging in date from the third millennium B.C. to the twenty-first century—is one of the largest and most comprehensive in the world. Each of the many civilizations of Asia is represented by outstanding works, providing an unrivaled experience of the artistic traditions of nearly half the world.

Metropolitan Museum of Art