Artwork preview

Sutra cover with dragons and phoenixes amid clouds

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Rectangular, vertically oriented image with a black border. The background is a light gray color with a fabric texture. The image features a repeating pattern of dragons and phoenixes surrounded by clouds. There are two dragons and two phoenixes, all in black. The dragons have five claws and are positioned on either side of the image. The phoenixes have long tails and are placed on either side of the dragons. The clouds are depicted in various shapes and sizes, some with curved lines and others with more defined, puffy forms. The overall design is symmetrical, with the dragons and phoenixes mirrored on either side of the center.

Artwork Details

Date
16th century
Medium
Plain weave in silk with supplementary weft patterning
Culture
China
Dimensions
227 × 625 px
Public Domain
Yes
Museum Record
View original
Palette