Artwork
Lohan (Immortal)
Lohan (Immortal) is an unspecified painting by the Baroque artist Unknown. It dates from 1604 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
About this work
Overview
The work titled Lohan (Immortal) presents a seated figure draped in flowing robes, holding a book and appearing contemplative. Behind him rises a rocky landscape punctuated by trees beneath a moonlit sky. To the right, a smaller, simply dressed figure kneels, and a red box rests on a stone.
Subject & Meaning
The central seated figure is likely intended as a Lohan, a Buddhist saint, suggested by the title and his meditative pose with a text. The kneeling figure may represent a disciple or devotee, emphasizing reverence and the transmission of wisdom.
Technique & Style
The painting employs a muted palette of soft pinks and blues for the robes, set against darker, atmospheric tones of the background. The colors appear slightly faded, yet retain a restrained dynamism typical of Baroque drama, with careful modeling of light and shadow to suggest depth.
Context
Lohan imagery was common in East Asian art, often depicting enlightened beings in serene settings. The inclusion of a moonlit landscape and a solitary red box adds symbolic elements that align with traditional iconography while reflecting the period’s interest in narrative depth.
Artist & collection
Domestic Scene
Giacomo and Cardinal Marco, investing Andrea, Abbot of San Zeno, with his Benefice
The Nymph of Fontainebleau
Portrait of a Woman
Madonna and Child with Saints in the Enclosed Garden
Venus and Minerva
Family Group of Four on Sofa
Wall painting from Room H of the Villa of P. Fannius Synistor at Boscoreale
