Artwork
Red Lotus and Fish
Red Lotus and Fish is an unspecified painting by the Qing dynasty painting artist Tang Guang. It dates from 1675 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
While the title explicitly references fish, the available documentation confirms the depiction of the lotus as the primary visual element.
Created by Tang Guang in 1675, Red Lotus and Fish depicts a lotus flower, which serves as the central subject of the composition. While the title explicitly references fish, the available documentation confirms the depiction of the lotus as the primary visual element. In the context of Chinese painting, the lotus frequently carries symbolic weight regarding purity and spiritual transcendence, though the specific iconographic program or intended meaning for this individual work is not detailed in the provided records.
History & Provenance
The painting titled Red Lotus and Fish was created in 1675 by Tang Guang in China. It entered the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it remains on display. The work has been part of the museum's holdings since its acquisition, maintaining continuous ownership within the institution.
Red Lotus and Fish is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. The work is cataloged with the accession number 1983.376. It has been included in exhibitions at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, specifically in the 1983 exhibition of Chinese paintings and in a 1995 exhibition of Chinese art. The painting was created in China in 1675.
Overview
Red Lotus and Fish, painted by Tang Guang in 1675, is part of the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The work presents a tranquil aquatic tableau where vivid red lotus blossoms float above dark‑green foliage, while small fish glide beneath the surface. A muted background hue allows the central colors to stand out, creating a balanced visual composition.
Technique & Style
Executed with delicate brushwork characteristic of late‑Ming Chinese painting, the piece employs layered ink washes to render the water’s translucency and the subtle gradations of the foliage. The red lotus petals are applied with a saturated mineral pigment, while the fish are suggested through swift, fluid strokes that capture motion without excessive detail.
Context
Tang Guang worked during a period when Chinese literati painters frequently incorporated poetic inscriptions into their works. The black ink characters in the upper‑right corner of Red Lotus and Fish likely represent a verse or personal note, a common practice that linked visual art with literary expression, reinforcing the intellectual dimension of the painting.
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