Accession Number
2003/1.622

Title
God of Many Children

Artist(s)
Chinese

Artist Nationality
Chinese (culture or style)

Object Creation Date
20th century

Medium & Support
woodblock print on paper

Dimensions
21 5/8 in. x 16 3/4 in. ( 55 cm x 42.5 cm )

Credit Line
Gift of Harold W. Stevenson, University of Michigan Professor Emeritus in Psychology

Subject matter
The center figure is a god dressed in a colorful robe and headdress that features a dragon motif on his chest. Dragons are considred good luck and not allowed to be worn by ordinary people. He is carrying two children and three more children stand in front of him. The center standing child is holding up a scroll that translate to "heavenly God bestowing happiness and good fortune." The presence of children suggests that this god also brings fertility among families. 

Physical Description
A larger center figure is surrounded by five smaller figures. The center figure has a red face, mustache, and beard, and is dressed in bright colors and an elaborate robe and headdress that features a dragon motif on the center of his chest. He is carrying two children, one in each arm, and three children stand in front. The two children in his arms are carrying lanterns, and the children standing are carrying flowers, toys, and a scroll. 

Primary Object Classification
Print

Collection Area
Asian

Rights
If 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
children (people by age group)
gods (deities)
good fortune
happiness
human figures (visual works)
scrolls (information artifacts)