Children Paying Respect to the Buddha

CHINA; Ming dynasty

On the left side of this painting by Chen Hongshou, a Buddha statue and a pagoda are depicted in front of a large Taihu stone. To the right of the statue, a child holds up a vase of chrysanthemums as an offering. Another child bows down in worship. His pants’ opening at the back exposes his buttocks, creating an amusing image. Two other children, one kneeling on the far right and another cleaning the pagoda, look down at their companions. The statue and the children are depicted with fine lines. Faint, elegant colors highlight pieces of the children’s clothing. Chen Hongshou’s seal is stamped at the end of the inscription on the right. Although there is no date, the painting is thought to be one of Chen’s later works.