Masterpiece Reimagined: Intangible Cultural Heritage Gold Leaf Artistry

Deji Art Museum’s “World of Flowers” exhibition hall launched an extraordinary artistic experiment on May 11th — recreating Sanyu’s late masterpiece “Vase of Flowers in Blue” using the millennium-old gold leaf gilding technique, a protected intangible cultural heritage.

In this work, the diasporic Eastern master painted slender yet resilient lilac stems that mirror the restrained dignity of Chinese literati — a reflection of his own artistic spirit. Through Western oils, he captured the essence of Chinese ink painting: those untamed branches embody his persistent redefinition of “Chinese imagery” in foreign lands, while the tranquil blue background whispers the ambiguity and hope between tradition and modernity.

Now, this ancient craft — once adorning the Dunhuang murals and the Forbidden City’s beams — engages in a groundbreaking dialogue with modern art. The fiery alchemy of gold leaf, with its radiant luster born of flames, perfectly interprets Sanyu’s unique blend of artistic aloofness and poetic tenderness.

More than a contemporary interpretation of traditional craftsmanship, this is a profound cultural resonance across time and space. We invite you to witness the eternal allure of artistic heritage, where every golden stroke carries centuries of wisdom into the present.