186 - Anonymous painting depicting the Tribunal of the King of Hell

Anonymous painting depicting the Tribunal of the King of Hell China, Qing dynasty 163 x 69,5 cm (183 x 86 cm R.) Ink and rich colours on silk, mounted on silk, framed under glass. This rare and narrative-rich illustration depicts the administration of justice in the jenseits netherworld (Diyu), featuring a majestic Underworld Judge in imperial robes presiding behind his desk in the upper section. The lower scene dynamicly portrays the execution of karmic retribution, showing sinners crushed within a stone mill by multi-colored demons while ghostly guardians usher further souls below. The brushwork stands in the tradition of the late Qing Dynasty. From a private collection in East Germany - Silk with dark patina, age-related creases and folds, minimal damage Paintings of this genre were historically commissioned for funeral rites and temple rituals to encourage moral accountability and evoke the fear of cosmic justice. The detailed brushwork in the narrative Gongbi style reflects the outstanding quality of devotional art produced during the high-to-late Qing period