郭子儀祝壽 (Birthday Celebration of Guo Ziyi, #6 of 10), unknown maker from China

These two hanging scrolls depict the birthday celebration of the legendary Chinese general Guo Ziyi 郭子儀 (697 CE–781 CE), who faithfully served four emperors of the Tang dynasty. General Guo not only suppressed several internal revolts, such as the famed An Lushan Rebellion (755 CE–763 CE), but also quelled nomadic tribes that threatened China. For his heroic military accomplishments, Emperor Xuanzong (685 CE–762 CE) awarded Guo with the title “Prince of Fenyang.” After retiring from military service, Guo led an idyllic life, fathering many descendants until his death at the age of 84. Having devoted his entire life to imperial service, and reaping the rewards of old age, Guo came to represent the paragon of a Confucian civil servant, embodying wealth, longevity, and a multitude of sons. Therefore, in China, he was frequently depicted in paintings such as these, which are part of a set of ten hanging scrolls that may have originally formed a folding screen.