Portrait of an Abbot

Mid-late 18th century

Chinese black ink and heavily applied pigments on silk

116.5 × 72.7 cm (45.9 × 28.6 in)

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In the collection of Barnes Foundation, Philadelphia — check current display status with the museum.

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Discussion

FROM THE BARNES FOUNDATION’S CATALOG

A Buddhist monk, seen in three-quarter view, sits in a high-backed chair draped with an emerald-green cloth. He wears a blue-and-scarlet costume and a serene expression. The instrument he holds is a ceremonial dragon-headed fly whisk, which symbolizes the "sweeping away" of distraction and ignorance. In the upper-left corner, an inscription identifies the monk as "Great Master Shijin." Portraits of revered monastics are traditionally displayed in Buddhist monasteries as icons of spiritual ancestors for living monks and nuns.

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