A large Chinese watercolor and ink painting on silk of eight religious figures dating from the 18th century or earlier. The painting has two inscriptions and one seal, and it is mounted on a silk backing and framed. Dimensions are: 71 inches tall X 34 inches wide, 180.3 cm X 86.4 cm, while the frame measures 83 inches tall X 46 inches wide, 210.8 cm X 116.8 cm. All measurements are approximate. Condition: The silk has darkened with age and there is staining. There are multiple, significant areas of repair, as well as tearing, spotting, and creasing. A reminder that all lots are sold as-is. We have sought to record the changes in the condition of this piece after its initial manufacture as diligently as possible; however, as stated in our terms, condition reports are statements of opinion and not representations or warranties. Oakridge Auction Gallery bears no responsibility for any error or omission. Provenance: From a private collector in the Washington, D.C. area. 釋文：諸天聖眾 刑部啟心郎週天成等造 水陸畫，河北省廣平縣民間傳統美術，國家級非物質文化遺產之一。水陸畫起源於三國時期，自金代至元、明、清時期盛行的佛教寺院為超度亡靈，普濟水陸一切鬼神而舉行的一種重要佛事，是“三教合一”大背景下產生與發展的民俗文化現象。水陸畫是水陸法會上供奉的宗教人物畫。水陸畫題材主要取自儒、釋、道三大教，線描空化豐富，人物造型優美，畫面色彩豐富和諧 [1] 。 2014年11月11日，水陸畫經國務院批准列入第四批國家級非物質文化遺產名錄，遺產編號為Ⅶ-113。 啟心郎是清代特有的職官，是皇太極用以監督貝勒的官員，責任重大。清初各部院置，其職略次於侍郎，據《蘇州府志》記載：順治十年（1653年），工部右侍郎週天成到任。清入關前，由於文武職司分工不明確，旗人任官，文武互轉，尤其是武職改用文職，是旗人升轉的特殊途徑，因此也有少部分啟心郎是由武將轉化而來。很多武將皆在六部任職，週天成也應是當時文武將互轉之一。本件作品與北京白雲觀壁畫風格十分相似，可參閱(fig.1)。Notes: High resolution photos can be found here.