Eight Emblems of the Dragon Boat Festival

Tao Lengyue was the founder of the “New Chinese Painting,” was renowned for synthesizing the traditional Chinese mogu (boneless brushstroke) painting with elements of light, shadow, and perspective from Western painting, creating a unique realm of “cold moon with clear radiance.” This was also reflected in Eight Emblems of the Dragon Boat Festival. The painting depicts eight emblems which were associated with the Dragon Boat Festival—pomegranate flowers, gardenias, calamus, mugwort, rice dumplings, garlic, salted eggs, and mosquito coil—with a realistic and delicate touch, soft lighting, and fine textures. The horizontal scroll composition was derived from traditional Chinese literati painting, imbuing everyday objects with profound folkloric symbolism. As the earliest known work signed with the name “Lengyue”, it also marked a significant turning point in the artist’s resolution for innovation in the same year, which was of unique historical value.