Two Scholars and Boy with Goose 19th century

This fan, entitled "Two Scholars and Boy with Goose," attributed to Sun Rong, is painted with ink and color on paper. The paper itself has been carefully prepared with radiating ribs that provide both structure and a subtle texture to the artwork. The choice of a fan as a medium is significant. Fans like this one were not merely utilitarian objects, but also status symbols, often associated with the literati class in China. The subject of the painting – two scholars accompanied by a boy and a goose – speaks to this association, reflecting a life of leisure and intellectual pursuit. The ink and color are applied with a light touch, allowing the paper's inherent qualities to show through. Note how the subtle gradations of ink wash create a sense of depth and atmosphere, while the delicate brushstrokes define the figures and landscape. This fan represents the fusion of artistry and everyday life. The fan challenges our traditional distinction between fine art and craft.