Eight Immortals 1977

Ding Yanyong made this painting, Eight Immortals, with ink and colour on paper. Just imagine him at his desk, splashing down these characters with just a few strokes! Look at the way he fearlessly scrawls in the faces – the bold outlines, the cheeky expressions. It’s almost like he’s channeling these immortals, letting their personalities burst onto the page with complete abandon. I bet Ding Yanyong was laughing to himself as he painted each one. Now, glance over at the boat cutting through the waves. See how the water is barely suggested, just the faintest whisper of movement? Yet, somehow, you can feel the boat rocking, creaking beneath the weight of these larger-than-life figures. It reminds me of other artists of the period, like Qi Baishi, who shared a similar interest in capturing the vitality of everyday subjects. What a joyful image – it feels like a party across time!