Special 109  Ancient Chinese Painting

　　For the promotion of the Chinese Cultural Renaissance Movemont, a set of 〝Ancient Chinese Painting (Festivals for the New Year) Postage Stamps〞was issued. This brilliant Chinese handscroll, 235.5 × 30.5 cm., in the collection of the National Palace Museum, was painted by Ting Kuan`peng in color on silk. Along a country road a crowd gathers and engages in many kinds of activity. Attention is given in minute detail to the figures, rocks, and trees; the colors are fresh and sparkling. The bustling activity of the scene comes to life before the eyes of the viewer.

　　It is not known exactly when Ting Kuan-peng lived, but during the Chien-lung period (1736-1795 A.D.) he received an appointment to the palace as a court artist. He was an excellent painter of Taoist and Buddhist figures, copying the style of the late Ming painter, Ting Yun-peng. In his later years he also used the techniques of western perspective and shading, creating an illusion of three-dimensionality which was quite original. For this reason he has been praised as one of the great masters of Chinese painting.

　　These eight stamps consist of a strip of five1.00 stamps reproducing the overall picture, and three close-up views： a 2.50 stamp showing relatives and friends cupping one hand over the other as a New Year's greeting during a ceremonial call, a 5.00 stamp featuring children playing and buying fireworks, and 8.00 stamp depicting an acrobatic performance and a monkey show.