Zhong Kui’s Procession, Hanging Scroll
Hua Yan
Qing Dynasty
- MEDIUM:Ink and color on paper
- FORMATS:Hanging scroll
- DIMENSIONS:Height 117 cm; Width 60.5 cm
Introduction
Zhong Kui, the demon-quelling guardian deity of Chinese folklore, was one of Hua Yan’s lifelong favorite subjects. Painted in the spring of 1748 (Qianlong wuchen year), when the artist was sixty-seven and in the late stage of his career, this work depicts Zhong Kui riding a donkey, dressed in a red robe and official hat, with a calm and composed expression. At his side, an imp holds an ornate “Eight Treasures” parasol, while three others follow respectfully—carrying a porcelain vase, a shoulder pole, and a round fan. The figures are arranged with a clear hierarchy and order. Hua Yan harnesses Zhong Kui’s stern authority as a moral allegory, expressing his wish to banish evil and uphold justice.
This painting passed through the collections of late-Qing collector Hu Xiaozhuo, Republican-era collector Su Bo’an, and modern connoisseur Han Shenxian.
