Deer 

Xu Beihong, a towering figure in 20th-century Chinese art, painted "Deer" using traditional ink and brush techniques. Beihong lived through times of immense social upheaval and national identity crisis. The painting presents a traditional motif of deer in a serene natural setting. But this imagery gains new meaning when viewed through the lens of early 20th-century China. In a society grappling with modernity, Beihong's art becomes a way to reclaim and redefine cultural heritage. The deer, symbols of longevity and prosperity, are rendered with a sensitivity that evokes a sense of longing for an idealized past. It invites us to contemplate our relationship with nature, history, and identity. The painting's delicate strokes and tranquil composition may reflect a deep yearning for peace and harmony in a world fraught with conflict and change.