Yao Ritual Scroll

Description

This painting shows Marshal Deng accompanied, like Marshall Zhao, by Marshals Ma and Zhang. The two paintings would have been hung together to protect ceremonies against evil spirits. Marshal Deng is depicted with his characteristic features: blue-green skin, three eyes, a nose and feet like a falcon’s, wings sprouting from his shoulders, and a hatchet and dagger-like object to combat evil. The colorful whorls that fill the negative space are one of the characteristics of the Ming style of Yao painting.