ANONYME
Good proof, several median folds While the carp symbolizes courage, perseverance, and success in exams; the red fish "jinyu"means gold and wealth.Ca.1950-1970The Chinese New Year print nianhua 年畫 finds its origins in the propitiatory images of Chinese antiquity. It adorned family altars and door leaves with its bright colors until the middle of the 20th century. This practice spread under the Tang Dynasty (618-906) and, with the arrival of Buddhism, broadened its themes to new deities and new pantheons. Then with the new printing techniques developed by the Song (960-1279), the nianhua prints won the family altars of most homes in China. The motifs further diversified under the Qing (1644-1911), incorporating scenes from novels and opera, portraits of women and children, and even satirical content. The print helps attract happiness, drive away evil spirits and protect the year to come. Through its illustrated themes, these prints reflect the customs, state of mind and aesthetic taste of the population. The production of prints continued to suffer from wars and social unrest during the 20th century, and only two or three workshops still existed in the 1940s. After the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949, local artisans created Suzhou Taohuawu Woodblock New Year Print Society, thus protecting their know-how and perpetuating the tradition as best they can...