Squirrel and Grape 1868

Editor: Okay, next up we have “Squirrel and Grape,” painted in 1868 by Liu Deliu. It’s this beautiful fan-shaped painting made with ink and watercolor on paper. The muted colors give it such a serene feeling, almost dreamlike, yet the composition feels quite dynamic with the squirrel in action. What strikes you when you look at it? Curator: Oh, absolutely. That squirrel, all bushy-tailed bravado, perched amongst the grapes, brings such a lively contrast to the traditional stillness we often see in Asian art. You know, it's almost as if Liu Deliu is saying, "Even in contemplation, life is in constant, joyful motion." Doesn’t it feel like a visual haiku? There’s such a delicate balance – the squirrel's exuberance offset by the calmness of the grapes and leaves. What do you make of the negative space here? Editor: I see what you mean! It keeps the composition feeling light and airy. Is there a symbolic significance to the squirrel and the grape pairing? Curator: Squirrels can be a symbol of resourcefulness and abundance in some contexts, the grapes often linked to prosperity and fertility. Perhaps Liu Deliu intended this as a blessing, or a wish for abundance? Does the inscription give any hints? Editor: It's a poetic inscription; after looking at it again, it seems like it reinforces the themes of nature, abundance, and appreciation of the small joys in life. Curator: Yes, you're absolutely right. What started as a tranquil landscape has bloomed into so much more. A whisper of joy caught in ink. Editor: This was fascinating, thank you.