A group of four 'Hell' Paintings, Qing dynasty, ink and color on paper, framed | 清 陰曹地府圖四幅 設色紙本 裝框

Paintings such as these came in sets of ten, and were displayed in temples dedicated to the city god or brought out during the Ullambana Festival, when it was believed that the gates of hell were opened and souls in purgatory were allowed to return to earth for a visit.

The paintings in this lot depict the third, fourth, seventh and tenth courts. In the first three paintings deceased souls are depicted being boiled in oil, crushed between beds of nails, dismembered and flayed. The last is where judgment is given as to what life form deceased souls are to be reborn. A rack of animal skins and robes is portrayed in the lower right corner. The souls are given what they deserve, which they put on and pass through the gate where an attendant turns the wheel of reincarnation.