Vadas József (szerk.): Ars Decorativa 11. (Budapest, 1991)

FERENCZY Mária: A modernizáció megjelenése a századeleji kínai ábrázolásokon

have partly turned dark (on the faces mainly). Subject: The populous composition pictures the various phases of agricultural activity through scenes from the life of large peasant families. In conformity with the picture's function, the main stress is laid upon the visualization of harvesting in the foreground. On the left the stack is being taken apart and sheaves are being undone; on the right, grain is being trodden out with a buffalo drawing a roller. In the middle winnowing, sifting and putting the com into sacks are taking place. In the background, other phases of work appear: two pails (containing liquid dung) are carried on a carrying pole by a man, another man is already going home after hoeing; on the dyke a cart drawn by a mule is carrying sheaves; behind the dyke there is a rice-field in which the sprouting plants are being hoed. In the middle of the background a man is sowing with the help of a sowing box drawn by a mule. In addition to these, other kinds of people are present: the head of the family (or the overseer?) in an ornate gown and with a long moustache, two grandfathers leaning on a stick and sitting on a low bench while taking care of a grandson, merry children romping among adults, mothers, young wives etc. (There are nineteen men, seven women and nine children altogether). The scene is set in the Chinese lowlands, with a northern-style house,

53 as well as willows and a solitary house in the background. Explanation: According to tradition, fanning is the most important occupation in China, the peasant being the pillar of society and grain the basis of livelihood. Thus, through the picture the most important thing on Earth is represented, indeed promoted, while promising an abundant crop, a rich harvest. The large families and the great number of boys promise numerous offspring; the willows and the serene old people long life — even wealth since the clothes arc more lavish than usual, the houses better built, the livestock more numerous and the children chubbier. The idealized, festive image of everyday life is a magic wish in the same way as an inscription or a symbol is (cf. CHPP 1988: p.14.). Parallel cases: the same print in: POMMERANTZ-LIEDTKE: p.51.

54 A similar theme e.g. in: WANG 1959: no.42.; WANG 1986: no.114.; KNK 1987: p.30.(no.l4.); ALEKSEIEV 1966: p.31.(no. 14. ). 15. THE TREASURES OF MODERN PROSPERITY Inventory no.: 89.47.1 Size: 60,5 x 108 cm Title: Image of a Chinese Motor-car (Chung-law ch'i ch'e t'u)

55 Signature: Yi hsing ho

56 — Party passing the order: Office of Education, Chih-li Province [today: Hopei] (Chih-li chiao-yii shihchien /ting/) — Printed by the Hua-hsing Printing Office, Feng-t'ai, Chih-li [today Hopei] (Feng-t'ai Hua-hsing kung-sze lyinf) Technique: block-printed with black, (mustard-)yellow, orange, dark green colours; hand-coloured with pink, carmine, cold pale blue, light blue, dark blue, brown, white colours and Chinese ink. Condition: thin paper slightly yellowish, practically un-damaged. Subject: On the left there is an old-style coach-like open motor-car with an ornate canopy against sunshine on an ornate frame. It has spoked cart-type wheels, mudguards, running boards, and a lamp fitted with glass. The steering wheel has a long, oblique shaft with spokes forming a star. On the back seats two Chinese ladies sit straight and look forward. On the front