Miniature Album with Figures and Landscape (Man Riding Carp)

The central figure, rendered with a visible face and upper torso, rides a stylised carp rendered in stark black and white tones. The rider wears a plain white robe and dark hair, suggesting a scholarly or mythic persona. Such depictions of humans navigating fish are common in Chinese visual culture, often symbolising mastery over nature or the pursuit of longevity.

Executed with bold brushstrokes characteristic of early‑19th‑century Chinese miniature painting, the composition balances ink wash and vivid pigments. The carp’s sinuous form extends beyond the page margin, creating a sense of movement. Red seals affixed at the bottom of each page authenticate the work and reflect traditional sealing practices.

Zeng Yangdong worked during the late Qing dynasty, a time when literati artists frequently produced small-format paintings for album pages. The motif of a man riding a fish appears in earlier Chinese literature and visual art, linking the work to a broader tradition of allegorical imagery.