Accession Number
1989/2.155

Title
Heavenly Official Confers Joy and Longevity (Come Together)
(Pair with 1989/2.156)

Artist(s)
Chinese

Artist Nationality
Chinese (culture or style)

Object Creation Date
20th century

Medium & Support
woodblock print on paper

Dimensions
22 13/16 in x 13 13/16 in (58 cm x 35.1 cm);23 15/16 in x 14 7/8 in (60.8 cm x 37.8 cm);22 13/16 in x 13 13/16 in (58 cm x 35.1 cm)

Credit Line
Gift of Willard A. and Marybelle B. Hanna

Subject matter
A scholar is surrounded by five children and seems to be teaching them a lesson. The Chinese characters on the objects around them translate to "good fortune and longevity" (left) and "A good-natured family of virtues can last forever, just like the poetry and books that have been passed down to the world for a long time" (right). The most common virtue in Chinese and East Asian families is filial piety, having respect for one's family.  

Physical Description
A scholarly figure dressed in an elaborate floral robe and black headdress is surrounded by five small children, also dressed in elaborate floral robes. The center scholarly figure is holding paper and an instrument, and the children are holding toys and money. There are Chinese characters on the left and right, appearing in a cloud of thought and windchime-like instrument. 

Primary Object Classification
Print

Primary Object Type
color print

Collection Area
Asian

Rights
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Keywords
children (people by age group)
good fortune
happiness
human figures (visual works)
males
scholars