Here to Protect the Family
Legend has it that Zhong Kui 鍾馗 was a brilliant scholar. Although he came first in the imperial civil service examination, the emperor denied him this honorary title due to his appearance (狀元). Out of anger, he took his own life. However, the King of Hell recognized his potential and commissioned him to hunt down evil spirits.
Image gallery
Zhong Kui begleitet seine Schwester zu ihrem neuen Zuhause, Detail, Qing-Dynastie (1644–1911), 19. Jh.
Zhong Kui als Beschützer des Hauses, China, Zhuxianzhen, Provinz Henan, 1. Hälfte 20. Jh., Holzschnitt
Dem Palast zugeordnete, militärische Gottheiten, China, Yangliuqing, 1. Hälfte 20. Jh., Holzschnitt
Tanzender Zhong Kui, Detail, China, Yangliuqing, 1. Hälfte 20. Jh., Holzschnitt
Gao Qipei (1660–1734), Zhong Kui mit Schwert, Detail, Qing-Dynastie (1644 – 1911), datiert 1716 am Tag des Drachenboot-Festes, Fingermalerei
In art, Zhong Kui is often depicted as wearing an official's hat, a bushy black beard, bulging eyes and an angry expression. Sometimes he wields a sword, sometimes he is the dutiful brother marrying off his sister. Woodcuts with him on front doors protect stores and family homes, especially during the New Year or Dragon Boat Festival. Today, Zhong Kui also appears chasing ghosts in video games.
Curator
The exhibition is curated by Birgitta Augustin.
A temporary presentation of the Museum of Asian Art of the National Museums in Berlin in the Humboldt Forum, Room 319, "Artists and Connoisseurs"Translated with DeepL
