清 刺繡賀壽圖十二條屏|Celebratory scene

Unknown

17th century · Set of 12 hanging scrolls; silk embroidery and paint on satin · Asian Art

Dozens of guests and family members converge at a reception hall to pay their respects to an honored couple. Despite the absence of written inscriptions, the imagery of the work identifies the event and its setting: the birthday party of the celebrated Tang-dynasty general Guo Ziyi (697–781) at his residence. According to legend, Guo had many sons and grandsons, all of whom were highly successful in their official careers. By the seventeenth century, Guo’s reception had become a metaphor for auspicious birthday celebrations in general. It was frequently depicted on large works that were given as congratulatory gifts to distinguished individuals.

Artist

Unknown

Date

17th century

Medium

Set of 12 hanging scrolls; silk embroidery and paint on satin

Culture

China

Department

Asian Art

Credit line

Gift of Cynthia Hazen Polsky, in honor of Leon B. Polsky, and in celebration of the Museum’s 150th Anniversary, 2019