Artwork
明 佚名 瑤臺獻壽圖 扇|Paying homage to Xiwangmu, the Queen Mother of the West
明 佚名 瑤臺獻壽圖 扇|Paying homage to Xiwangmu, the Queen Mother of the West is an ink painting. It dates from 1449 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The work, titled “瑤臺獻壽圖” (Yáotái Xiànshòu Tú), is an ink-and-color painting on silk mounted as a fan leaf.
About this work
Overview
The work, titled “瑤臺獻壽圖” (Yáotái Xiànshòu Tú), is an ink-and-color painting on silk mounted as a fan leaf. Though the creator remains unidentified, the piece belongs to the broader tradition of Chinese fan paintings that functioned as portable, decorative artworks.
Subject & Meaning
The scene portrays a group of male figures gathered around a banquet table, offering tribute to Xiwangmu, the Queen Mother of the West, a deity associated with longevity and celestial authority. The composition emphasizes ritual respect and the auspicious wish for a long life, central themes in courtly and religious iconography.
Technique & Style
Executed with brushwork in ink complemented by mineral pigments, the painting exploits silk’s smooth surface to render delicate patterns on the tableware and the elaborate costumes of the participants. The fine line work and subtle coloration reflect the refined aesthetic typical of courtly fan paintings of the period.
History & Provenance
The fan is a single leaf from an album, a format that allowed collectors to assemble related works. Its provenance is not documented beyond the attribution to an anonymous hand, a common circumstance for many surviving Chinese fan paintings.
Context
Xiwangmu was a prominent figure in Daoist mythology and imperial ritual, often invoked in artworks celebrating longevity. The depiction of a banquet in her honor aligns with similar visual programs found in palace murals and lacquerware, where elaborate feasts symbolized divine favor.
Artist & collection
