Peony 1978

Ding Yanyong made this ink and colour painting called ‘Peony’ sometime during his career. Ding was a painter and educator, teaching in Shanghai and then later in Hong Kong. His work reflects the influences of his travels in Japan in the 1920s and also his training in traditional Chinese ink painting techniques. The peony is a significant symbol in Chinese culture, often representing wealth, honor, and prosperity. The plant became particularly popular during the Tang dynasty, and it has retained its cultural importance ever since. The inscription on this painting indicates that the work was painted in the spring, and the artist's signature in the bottom left corner uses the traditional red seal. Ding Yanyong lived through times of enormous social change and upheaval in China. As an art historian, I find it fascinating to consider how these events might have impacted his approach to art and his choice of subject matter. Researching the social history of China during Ding's lifetime could offer a deeper understanding of the painting’s meaning.