Ancestor Portrait
Qing Dynasty
China
56” x 33”
Painting mounted on board and stretchers. Unframed.
Ancestor portraits have a long history in China and stems from filial piety. This one dates to mid Qing [CHING] dynasty (1644–1911), the last imperial dynasty.
Family members commissioned ancestor portraits to commemorate deceased relatives. These paintings were treated with the greatest respect. On certain holidays, families would honor their ancestors by bowing before the portraits and placing food in front of them. If properly cared for, ancestors contributed to wealth and good fortune for their descendants. If ignored, ancestors could turn into nasty ghosts who would bring bad luck.
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