Secrets of Asian Paints - Reproducing the National Treasure Red and White Hibiscuses

From ancient times to the modern day, various natural resources, including minerals, plants, animals and insects, have been processed and used as paint.

As the base materials of paints differ, the processed paints are also all different in color and usability. This display introduces an example of painting techniques that skillfully use the various properties of these materials.

The example artwork is the hanging scroll with pink flowers from Red and White Hibiscuses (designated as a National Treasure), a work by the Chinese court painter Li Di in the Southern Song dynasty in 1197 (Qing Yuan 3). Through the reproduction of this artwork, faithfully recreated in stages, this display describes how the painting was completed.

In addition, to demonstrate the properties of painting materials, coloring that uses two different types of material has been recreated. Visitors are encouraged to deepen their understanding about the diversity of paints in Asian painting by comparing artworks in which areas are divided by types of painting material.
We give our heartfelt thanks to the student volunteer Kyoko Ishi at Tokyo University of the Arts who produced the models, as well as to all who contributed to this exhibit.