The Boutonniere Deformity and Piano Key Sign Depicted in a 12th-Century Chinese Painting
The depiction of the boutonniere deformity in a 12th-century Chinese painting provides valuable insights into the understanding of joint deformities during that era. As a prominent subject in Chinese Buddhist art, images of Arhats—enlightened beings who have attained Nirvana—were frequently portrayed in both paintings and sculptures. These depictions occupy a unique space, positioned between the solemn Buddhas and ordinary people. Their appearance is more human, reflecting their worldly experiences. Historical records trace the origins of Arhat representations to the Eastern Jin Dynasty (317–420 AD), suggesting that these depictions likely emerged around this time.1 Initially, Arhats were typically shown in the context of other Buddhist themes, but by the middle to late Tang Dynasty, the spread of the central text …
