Red lotus and fish

Tang Guang Chinese

Qing dynasty (1644–1911)

Not on view

Tang Guang’s name is little recorded in Chinese painting history, but this work reveals that he was a sensitive practitioner of the Piling School manner of flower painting. More than just a decorative work, this painting carries an auspicious new year’s message: in Chinese, “lotus” (lian 蓮) sounds like “year” (nian 年), while “fish” (yu 魚) sounds like “abundance” (yu 餘). Taken together, the meaning is “abundance through the years” (niannian youyu 年年有餘).

Red lotus and fish, Tang Guang (Chinese, ca. 1670–1690), Hanging scroll; ink and color on paper, China

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Red lotus and fish, Tang Guang (Chinese, ca. 1670–1690), Hanging scroll; ink and color on paper, China
Red lotus and fish, Tang Guang (Chinese, ca. 1670–1690), Hanging scroll; ink and color on paper, China

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