Shen Quan Lotus and Mandarin Ducks

Fidelity Amidst the Blossoms: A Multi-dimensional Analysis of Shen Quan’s "Lotus and Mandarin Ducks"

This article provides an in-depth analysis of "Lotus and Mandarin Ducks" (Hehua Yuanyang Tu) by the mid-Qing master Shen Quan. It explores his signature "Nanping Style," which seamlessly combined meticulous Chinese Gongbi techniques with Western-influenced shading, the profound auspicious symbolism of marital fidelity and purity, and his significant historical role in shaping the Nagasaki School in Japan.