Woman Playing Small Lute
42.2cm
16½"
42cm
16½"

Approximate Measurements

Artwork Panel: 32.8cm x 33cm  ≈  13" x 13"

Silk/Brocade Border: 42cm x 42.2cm  ≈  16½" x 16½"

Woman Playing Small Lute

This depicts a woman playing a traditional Chinese "liu qin" which is a type of small lute.

The woman's clothing suggests that she is from the Qing Dynasty (1616-1911).

Modern Artist Mo Nong

The artist Mo Nong signing some of his artwork before I took it to my workshop for proper mounting.

This painting is not titled, but is signed by the artist, and authenticated with his red signature seal.



About the artist...

The artist goes by the name 墨農 (Mo Nong). He lives in Beijing, the capital city of China.

This general style of painting that falls between modern art and folk art is done by many artists in China. Once the last modern I worked with retired, it took years to find another that I was really happy with. Finally, in 2012, I walked into the studio of Mo Nong, and found what I was looking for. His variety of composition and painting style make all of these paintings instant classics.

Modern Artist Mo Nong

The day I met Mo Nong in his studio in the Panjiayuan artist community of Beijing.

About the art...

Mo Nong uses paint power and water (similar to gouache) to get vivid colors. This is applied to handmade xuan paper (often called rice paper, though there's no rice in it). When I took these painting to my workshop, they were mounted with a silk brocade border. This border can be used in lieu of matting when you frame this artwork.

Modern Artist Mo Nong