China, Ming dynasty (1368–1644) / 1591–1626
The Five Hundred Arhats
The Cleveland Museum of Art catalogs The Five Hundred Arhats as painting (China, Ming dynasty (1368–1644) · 1591–1626).
Far advanced on the path to enlightenment, arhats have the capacity to tame tigers, free dragons, and to float on water or in the air.
A CLOSER LOOK
The museum identifies this painting as Handscroll; ink and color on paper and credits Wu Bin (Chinese, active c. 1591–1626).
The museum's collection notes: More than 66 feet long, this handscroll depicts 447 luohans , 72 attendants, and the bodhisattva of compassion at its very end. Luohans (arhats in Sanskrit), disciples of the Buddha and protectors of the Buddha’s law, possess supernatural powers and take on myriad external appearances. The amusing assortment of characters are engaged in an array of religious, secular, and miraculous activities. The painter used stylistic features borrowed from earlier artists, carefully controlled lines, and refined coloring. Wu Bin was a lay Buddhist and depicting this sort of image was part of a religious practice seeking understanding of the Buddha’s teach
FOLLOW THE EVIDENCE
The Cleveland Museum of ArtThe Five Hundred ArhatsOriginal explanation based on the sources above. Images carry their own reuse terms.