Accession Number1989/2.138
TitleThe Earth God and His Wife
Artist(s)ChineseArtist NationalityChinese (culture or style)Object Creation Date20th centuryMedium & Supportwoodblock print on paperDimensions 17 3/8 in x 15 1/8 in (44.1 cm x 38.4 cm);18 3/8 in x 16 1/4 in (46.6 cm x 41.2 cm);17 3/8 in x 15 1/8 in (44.1 cm x 38.4 cm)
Credit LineGift of Willard A. and Marybelle B. HannaSubject matterTugong (Earth God) and Tumu are husband and wife. They are in charge of the house and protect the people in it. Tugong is close to the people who worship him and can sometimes be referred to as "grandfather" or "old friend." The two smaller figures appear to be their servants. In the background, there is a sun character of "ri" which can be associated with "yang," representing light, heat, and vitality.
Physical DescriptionA man and woman dressed in robes and headdress stand next to each other with their hands together. They are behind a table and there are two smaller figures, also a man and woman, one on each side of the table. The women are on the left side and the men are on the right. On the table, there are incense vessels. In the background, there is the sun behind them, labeled.
Primary Object Classification Print Primary Object Typecolor printCollection AreaAsianRightsIf you are interested in using an image for a publication, please visit
http://umma.umich.edu/request-image for more information and to fill out the online Image Rights and Reproductions Request Form.
Keywords
earth (soil)
gods
gods (dieties)
husbands
protection (sociological concept)
wives