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In an ancient water village like Zhouzhuang, narrow waterways and bridges are well integrated into daily life.  Here's a painting of a boat sliding under one of the stone arch bridges.  I don't know exactly why but I love painting bridges - not just because of their beautiful shapes, but perhaps because of what they signify as well on a broader sense.

In fact, I was touched when I learned of an interesting story about a painting of one of the bridges in Zhouzhuang.  The painting was done by a well-known Chinese painter Chen Yifei (1946-2005).  Here's what happened after he had his first one-man show in New York in 1983:

Armand Hammer, the owner of the Hammer Galleries and then the chairman of the Occidental Petroleum Corp. bought one piece of Chen's work -- Twin Bridge (Shuangqiao)-- Memory of My Country, and presented it to China's late paramount leader Deng Xiaoping when they met in Beijing.  Thus Chen became a special witness of friendship between China and the United States through his artistic production.  The story was much told in both artistic and diplomatic circles.  (Source: China-Fun.net)

Click here to see another painting of Zhouzhuang, China.


Zhouzhuang, China IV

Click here for an enlarged view.
Media: Original watercolor on paper
Image Size: 8.25 x 11.5 inches (21 x 29 cm)
Mat/Frame: No
Purchase: Sold