Eight Immortals of the Wine Cup

Artist

Hua Shan (Chinese, active 18th century)

Date

18th-19th century

Medium

Ink, color on paper

Dimensions

Image : 54 3/4 x 27 5/8 in. (1.4 m x 70.17 cm)
Frame : 60 x 34 1/2 in. (1.5 m x 87.63 cm)

Credit Line

Gift of David Kamansky and Gerald Wheaton

Object Number

2014.23.178

Label

Many traditional Chinese writers and artists believed that drinking wine opened them to inspiration and unleashed their creativity. The Tang dynasty poet Du Fu (712-770) wrote a verse titled “Eight Immortals of the Wine Cup” about eight of his contemporaries who were particularly fond of alcohol. This painting draws upon the imagery of that famous poem to depict a boozy group of scholars relaxing and engaging in various cultural pursuits.