China, Yuan dynasty (1271–1368) / late 1200s–early 1300s
The Lantern Night Excursion of Zhong Kui
The Cleveland Museum of Art catalogs The Lantern Night Excursion of Zhong Kui as painting (China, Yuan dynasty (1271–1368) · late 1200s–early 1300s).
Zhong Kui was an ancient ghostbuster.
A CLOSER LOOK
The museum identifies this painting as handscroll; ink and slight color on silk and credits Yan Hui (Chinese, active 1270–1310).
The museum's collection notes: Here, the demon queller Zhong Kui leads a nightly procession of street entertainers with bare, muscular bodies and demonic faces. Some wear shabby clothes, and all perform stunts and tricks to astound and scare the viewer. In fact, a New Year custom in cities of southeast China had the poor, disguised as demons, process through the streets and play their tricks to clear households of evil spirits and welcome the spring. From right to left, a demonic figure leads the procession and beats a drum; another lifts a large rock; one stands on his hands trying to drink; one balances a jar on his elbow; three hold and wield weapons; one carries a fold
FOLLOW THE EVIDENCE
The Cleveland Museum of ArtThe Lantern Night Excursion of Zhong KuiOriginal explanation based on the sources above. Images carry their own reuse terms.