The Five Hundred Arhats

Wu Bin’s ‘The Five Hundred Arhats’ is a handscroll from the Ming dynasty, created between 1591 and 1626. It is ink and color on paper. The scroll is part of the Cleveland Museum of Art’s collection.

Wu Bin often depicted Buddhist arhats performing supernatural acts. His works are known for their irony and sarcasm. This piece is part of his broader exploration of Buddhist themes.

Wu Bin was active in Nanjing around 1590–1610, later moving to Beijing with the support of Mi Wanzong. He was a devout Buddhist and lived in a temple.

Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, Ohio, https://clevelandart.org/art/1971.16