Page 43 - Bonhams Chinese Art London May 2013
P. 43
The unusually vivid painting on the present lot illustrates the well-
known Chinese fable of Lu Dongbin and the golden millet dream.
The scene shows the Daoist Immortal Zhongli Quan preparing a dish
of millet as the Tang Dynasty scholar Lu Dongbin sleeps in a tavern.
As he sleeps he dreams of his entire future career, from passing the
Imperial examinations at the top of the list, marriage, and service as
Prime Minister, to his eventual downfall, disgrace and banishment. He
awakes to find that the entire dream took place while the millet was still
uncooked, and realises that life is only a dream. Spiritually enlightened,
Lu Dongbin becomes one of the Daoist Immortals himself.
Two Views
Fine Chinese Art | 39
