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Laozi riding an ox

Xue Mingyang Chinese

1569 or 1629

On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 215

This outstanding bronze depicts the semilegendary Daoist philosopher Laozi. It captures an apocryphal moment in the sage’s life when he departed for the west on a dark ox to become a hermit. The mark on the figure’s back indicates the sculpture’s maker and date. Notably, a similar sculpture was included in a well-known handscroll depicting antiques in the imperial Qing collection of the early eighteenth century.

Inscription
己巳年造玉融薛鳴陽製
Made by Xue Mingyang of Yurong [modern Fuqing, Fujian Province] in the jisi year.

Laozi riding an ox, Xue Mingyang (Chinese, active late 16th–early 17th century), Copper alloy, pigments, China — This image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

Laozi riding an ox, Xue Mingyang (Chinese, active late 16th–early 17th century), Copper alloy, pigments, China

Laozi riding an ox, Xue Mingyang (Chinese, active late 16th–early 17th century), Copper alloy, pigments, China

Laozi riding an ox, Xue Mingyang (Chinese, active late 16th–early 17th century), Copper alloy, pigments, China

This artwork is meant to be viewed from right to left. Scroll left to view more.

This image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

This image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

This image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

明晚期　薛鳴陽造老子騎牛銅像

Title: Laozi riding an ox

Artist: Xue Mingyang (Chinese, active late 16th–early 17th century)

Period: Late Ming dynasty (1368–1644)

Date: 1569 or 1629

Culture: China

Medium: Copper alloy, pigments

Dimensions: H. 18 in. (45.7 cm); W. 13 7/8 in. (35.2 cm); D. 5 1/2 in. (14 cm)

Classification: Sculpture

Credit Line: Promised Gift of Julia and John Curtis, in celebration of the Museum’s 150th Anniversary

Object Number: L.2020.10.1a–c

Rights and Reproduction: Image © The Metropolitan Museum of Art, photo by Oi-Cheong Lee

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