A Garden Visit, 1797 The large watercolour on silk depicting 151 Buddhist and Daoist Immortals, popular Chinese gods, philosophers, kings, generals and their attendants engaged in various pursuits, all within a palatial garden setting, inscribed and dated to the second year of the Jiaqing reign, corresponding to 1797. Framed, 231cm (91in) long x 137cm (54in) wide; the painting, 211.5cm (83 1/4in) long x 127cm (50in) wide.
1797年 俞振（活躍於十八/十九世紀） 絹本設色 眾神圖
The scroll was painted by the Daoist priest Yu Zhen (exact dates unknown) at a temple in the Yandang mountains. The inscription in the left bottom corner reads as follows:
時 嘉慶二年歲次丁巳秋七月上浣 弟子雁宕俞振沐手敬繪 省園
Which may be translated as:
'In the first ten days of the seventh lunar month in the autumn of the second year of the Jiaqing reign [1797], Yu Zhen, the disciple at Yandang [mountain], respectfully painted this, having washed his hands [meaning: cleansed himself], Shengyuan.'
This remarkable Daoist pantheon is structured into three realms: Heaven, Earth, and the space between them. At its center, Houtu (后土, the Empress Queen of the Earth) and the Jade Emperor (Yu Huang Shangdi 玉皇上帝), the supreme Daoist deity, preside over the celestial hierarchy. Surrounding them are deities and spirits linked to the planets, stars, and natural forces.
On the platform to the left, the Eight Immortals (八仙) are assembled alongside the Three Star Gods: Fuxing (福星), the deity of prosperity; Luxing (祿星), the god of success; and Shouxing (壽星), the god of longevity.
The pantheon also incorporates figures from classical literature, notably Romance of the Three Kingdoms (三國演義). At the heart of the composition, within a grand central pavilion, sit three renowned military figures—Guan Yu (關羽), Zhou Cang (周倉), and Guan Ping (關平). Meanwhile, in the lower left corner, the Five Tiger Generals (五虎將) are depicted enjoying a banquet.
In the third tier of the heavenly realm, two deities associated with the weather make their appearance. On the far left stands Dianmu (電母), the Mother of Lightning, while to her left, riding a dragon, is the three-eyed Leishi Haoweng (雷師皓翁), the Thunder Master. Both are accompanied by an entourage of demonic figures, including Leigong (雷公), recognisable by his bat wings and bird-like beak.
At the centre, a striking group surrounds a white horse—believed to represent Emperor Ming of the Eastern Han dynasty, who famously dispatched envoys to India. They returned with two Indian monks, Kasyapa Matanga and Dharmaratna, bearing sacred sutras. This moment is traditionally regarded as the introduction of Buddhism to China.
Further to the right, on a rocky outcrop, sits Guanyin (觀音), the Bodhisattva of Mercy, revered by a figure standing upon a floating shell — a reference to her role as the patron of mariners. Behind her are the great Fathers of Daoism: Laozi (老子), seated atop a bull with a herdsman in tow; Zhuangzi (莊子), accompanied by an attendant holding books; and Liezi (列子), traditionally depicted holding a ruyi sceptre.
At the far right margin, Dizang Pusa (地藏菩薩) is shown wearing a crown, attended by an acolyte carrying a multi-ringed staff, a scholar, and a snow lion.
A related painting of various Gods and figures from folklore, Qing dynasty, is in the Daguan Cang Art Museum, Changsha.
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