The Moon Goddess Chang E | China | Ming Dynasty (1368–1644)

Skip to main contentThe Met CollectionSearch ArtThe Moon Goddess Chang EThe Moon Goddess Chang EUnidentified artistAfter Tang Yin ChineseMing dynasty (1368–1644)Not on view A supremely gifted scholar and painter, Tang Yin forfeited all chances of an official career after being involved in an examination scandal in the capital in 1499. Turning to painting and writing poetry for a living, he led the life of a dissolute scholar and died in poverty. The brilliantly executed Moon Goddess, Chang E is a poignant reminder of Tang Yin's dashed dreams for success in the official examinations, symbolized by the cassia branch in the goddess's left hand. (The word for "cassia" [gui] is a pun on the word for "nobility" [also pronounced gui].) Tang Yin's poem, in bold calligraphy, reads:She was long ago a resident of the Moon Palace,Where phoenixes and cranes gathered and embroidered banners fluttered in heavenly fragrance.Chang E, in love with the gifted scholar,Breaks off [for him] the topmost branch of the cassia tree.A frequent visitor to Suzhou's notorious pleasure quarter, Tang Yin may have painted this glamorous figure, a portrait perhaps, for a favorite companion, whom he regarded as a goddess condemned to mortal suffering. A rectangular seal next to his signature proudly proclaims the artist's moment of worldly success, which occurred in 1498: "Placed First [in the] Nanjing [Provincial Examination]."

Public DomainShareDownload ImageEnlarge Image

Artwork Details

Object InformationOverviewSignatures, Inscriptions, and MarkingsProvenanceReferences

• Title: The Moon Goddess Chang E
• Artist: Unidentified artist
• Artist: After Tang Yin (Chinese, 1470–1524)
• Period: Ming dynasty (1368–1644)
• Culture: China
• Medium: Hanging scroll; ink and color on paper
• Dimensions: Image: 53 5/8 x 23 1/8 in. (136.2 x 58.7 cm)Overall with mounting: 109 1/4 x 30 1/4 in. (277.5 x 76.8 cm)Overall with knobs: 109 1/4 x 34 in. (277.5 x 86.4 cm)
• Classification: Paintings
• Credit Line: Gift of Douglas Dillon, 1981
• Object Number: 1981.4.2
• Curatorial Department: Asian Art

More Artwork

More ArtworkRelatedBy Tang YinBy Unidentified artistIn the same mediumA slider containing 5 items.Press the down key to skip to the last item.

Research Resources

The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.

To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.

Feedback

We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please contact us using the form below. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.

Send feedback