Abstract Expressionist Loquat

Author: Ren Hengmao
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-08-01
Features: Loquat has a long history of cultivation in China. According to the Rites of Zhou, it was already grown as a prized plant in royal gardens during the Zhou Dynasty. It was introduced to Japan during the Tang Dynasty, and the court of Emperor Dezong once issued an edict ordering the southern mountain regions to annually tribute loquats. By the Song Dynasty, it had spread almost throughout the Yangtze River Basin and South China, becoming a unique and prized fruit of China. The "Soft White" and "Big Red Robe" varieties from Tangqi, Zhejiang, are renowned both domestically and internationally for their plump fruits, abundant juice, and balanced acidity.
Loquats have long been a subject in traditional Chinese bird-and-flower paintings, with many famous painters throughout history incorporating them into their works. The styles range from unlined to double-inked, meticulous brushwork, and freehand, each with its own distinctive features. The name "loquat" comes from its leaves resembling the sound of a pipa (a traditional Chinese musical instrument). It embodies the essence of the four seasons: "autumn buds, winter flowers, spring fruits, summer ripening." Its lush branches and leaves remain green even after frost, earning it the admiration of being "as upright as pine and bamboo." When the fruits ripen, the contrast between the "glass-like leaves" and the "golden fruits" creates a striking and vibrant appearance, hence the names "Golden Pear" and "Red Robe."