Painting study · Ink painting
Dragon; Tigerc. 1250–79 · Study 1958.427
Fachang Muqi (Chinese, 1220–1280)
c. 1250–79
Recorded as Pair of hanging scrolls; ink on silk, this vertical work measures 57.2 × 125.2 cm using the museum’s painting dimensions. Explore the museum’s context and compare the format with a wall of your choice.
Museum collection reference. This work is not offered for sale by Physical Art For Crypto. Museum attribution does not imply a partnership or endorsement.
Context from the museum
The dragon and tiger are tied to the philosophical concept of yin and yang, which describes opposite but complementary forces. The dragon occupies a tiered background of waves and mist. Its luminous head emerges from the darker passages, and its narrow twisting body is serpent-like. By contrast, the close-up view of the tiger emphasizes its bulk. The tiger bends its head to lick its paw while its tail curls in the foreground. In their original Chan Buddhist context, this pair of scrolls likely flanked a central image, like the Bodhisattva Guanyin. The silk has darkened over the centuries, and the slight reddish shading in the tiger’s tongue and nose has faded.
Museum description reproduced from its CC0 open-access record. Read the original catalog entry.
A detail to notice
Fachang Muqi's ink paintings on Chan (or Zen in Japanese) themes were very popular in Japan.
Observation supplied by the Cleveland Museum of Art.
Read the dimensions before the image
The selected painting measurement for Dragon; Tiger is 57.2 cm wide and 125.2 cm high, equivalent to approximately 22.5 × 49.3 inches. Dividing width by height gives a format ratio of 0.46:1. The rectangular bounding area is 0.72 square meters; it describes the measured footprint, not the amount of paint or the monetary value.
On an illustrative 300 cm wall, the recorded width occupies 19.1% of the span before adding a frame. A centered placement leaves approximately 121.4 cm on each side before adding a frame. These are calculations by Physical Art For Crypto using museum measurements. They are not the museum’s display recommendations.
Questions to bring to your own collection
With Dragon; Tiger in view, identify one feature you can point to, then distinguish what the museum records from your personal response. Keep its medium, Pair of hanging scrolls; ink on silk, in your notes when comparing contemporary works.
- Which part of this vertical composition catches your eye first?
- Would a 57.2 cm width still suit the space after allowing for furniture and a frame?
- What surface detail would you need to see in person or in a close photograph?
Explore physical scale
How large would this format feel on your wall?
Use this museum work’s recorded format as a reference. Adjust a blank wall and optional frame allowance to compare proportions. The museum painting is an educational reference and is not for sale here.
Calculation: outside width = recorded width + twice your frame allowance. This is a proportion study, not an installation assessment. It excludes furniture, hardware, load capacity, depth and delivery clearance. The display image may include margins absent from the recorded measurement.
Compare formats with the studio collection
These Lei-Kol works have the closest width-to-height ratios in the current catalog. This is a geometry comparison, not a claim of artistic similarity, equivalent value, or association with the museum artist.
| Painting | Width × height | Format ratio | USD catalog price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cheesecake | 24 × 48 in | 0.50:1 | $1,099 |
| Riptide | 24 × 48 in | 0.50:1 | $1,199 |
| Graffiti | 30 × 48 in | 0.63:1 | $2,199 |
Availability and delivery costs must be confirmed for the individual order.
Related studies
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1100s–1200s · China, Southern Song dynasty (1127-1279)
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Su Hanchen (Chinese, active c. 1101–1125); Wang Juzhen (Chinese) · Album leaf; ink and color on silk
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