Dragon

Unidentified

An item at Metropolitan Museum of Art

Dragons were believed to dwell in mysterious places—clouds, mists, watery subterranean caves—and painters used a repertoire of techniques to capture that sense of mystery. Here, the artist has painted the background with a dark ink wash. The slightly lighter dragon emerges from the primordial ooze. Lightest in tone are the beast’s arresting eyes, which accordingly jump forth from the image.

Asian Art

An exhibit at Metropolitan Museum of Art

The Met's collection of Asian art—more than 35,000 objects, ranging in date from the third millennium B.C. to the twenty-first century—is one of the largest and most comprehensive in the world. Each of the many civilizations of Asia is represented by outstanding works, providing an unrivaled experience of the artistic traditions of nearly half the world.

Metropolitan Museum of Art