New Year picture of the “Legend of the White Snake”

Unidentified artist(s)

Not on view

This colorful poster was used to decorate the house around the new year. It depicts a scene in the folktale the “Legend of the White Snake” when the scholar Xu Xian makes offerings at a pagoda. His wife, the White Snake in human form, has been locked in the monastery’s dungeon by the cold-hearted abbot. As Xu bows to read a prayer, the spirit of the White Snake appears from within the pagoda.

New Year picture of the “Legend of the White Snake”, Unidentified artist(s) , early 20th century, Polychrome woodblock print; ink and color on paper, China

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