Water goblin – Late Qing Dynasty c. 1900 Peking Opera Characters

This work presents a stylized theatrical figure drawn from late Qing Dynasty visual traditions associated with Peking Opera character design, emphasizing costume, gesture, and formal identity over narrative illustration.

The original 19th-century depiction is characterized by bold mask work, expressive line, and richly detailed attire, all functioning within a codified visual system rather than a descriptive scene. In this modern edition, the figure has been carefully restored and isolated against a clean backdrop, allowing posture, ornament, and compositional clarity to carry meaning without embellishment.