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Hanging Cash: Two Immortals Zhongh Liquan and Zhang Guolau

Chinese

Artwork Details

Hanging Cash: Two Immortals Zhongh Liquan and Zhang Guolau
20th century
Chinese
woodblock print on paper
21 1/4 in x 11 5/8 in (54 cm x 29.5 cm);22 3/8 in x 12 15/16 in (56.8 cm x 32.9 cm);21 1/4 in x 11 5/8 in (54 cm x 29.5 cm)
Gift of Willard A. and Marybelle B. Hanna
1989/2.130

Description

Subject Matter:

The left figure is Zhong Liquan and the right figure is Zhang Guolao. They are two out of the Eight Immortals (Ba Xian). Unlike most of the other immortals, these two were real historial figures. Zhong Liquan was a general. He has a magic fan that can help bring the dead back to life, turn stones into gold and silver, and he used these powers to alliviate hunger and poverty. Zhang Guolao was a hermit who lived in the mountains, and he drank and made wine with medicinal powers. The clouds in the background symbolize the celestial realm, since they were created between heaven and earth. 

Physical Description:

A figure dressed in a red robe holding a lotus fan is looking at another figure to the right who is dressed in a yellow and purple robe and headdress, holding an instrument. They appear to be floating in the clouds. This image seems to be on top of a red paper cutout. 

Usage Rights:

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