Arhats

CHINA; Ming dynasty

According to the inscription, this painting dates from 1601 and may be one of the images of the Five Hundred Arhats that Wu Bin painted for Qixia Temple. Wu, who lived during the rule of Emperor Wanli (reigned 1572–1620), departed from tradition to develop his own original painting style. In the signature on this work, he calls himself the “Ascetic of Zhiyin Temple.”
On the left, a waterfall cascades down into a turbulent pool beside large rocks and cliffs. Six Arhats sit on the rocks, wearing red, white, or light blue monastic robes wrapped around their bodies. Two attendants holding staffs stand in the bottom left corner. All the figures look up at a dragon frolicking in the clouds on the upper left. On the right side of the picture, large trees with detailed leaves grow among the rocks and cliffs.
The images in the painting are skillfully arranged, creating a unique scene. The figures, flowers, trees, rocks, water, and clouds are exquisitely drawn. The mix of dull and bright colors lends an elegance to the painting. An atmosphere of abundant ease and freedom is revealed through the profound images.