Tengwang Pavilion

Title: Tengwang Pavilion
Artist: Qiu Yan
Medium: Gold foil on cardboard
Technique: Gongbi (Meticulous Brushwork)

 Description:
Tengwang Pavilion stands as a fine example among gold-foil landscape paintings. The artist draws inspiration from compositional techniques of ancient masters, using one of the most iconic ancient towers—Tengwang Pavilion—as the central theme. Presented in a fan-shaped layout and painted atop radiant gold foil, the piece showcases a perfect fusion of traditional meticulous brushwork and luxurious materials.

On the right side, the painting features layered pavilions with blue-tiled roofs and upturned eaves, rendered with exquisite detail and nestled among lush forests and drifting clouds—exuding the grandeur and elegance of classical Chinese architecture.
On the left, a vast expanse of water opens up, with distant mountains like indigo, and a small boat gliding across the river. This creates a balanced rhythm of movement and stillness, substance and void, subtly highlighting the tower's commanding position overlooking the expansive river.

Verses from Wang Bo’s Preface to Tengwang Pavilion are inscribed at the top of the painting, harmoniously blending poetry, calligraphy, and imagery—infusing the work with literary elegance.
The gold foil background glimmers under light, emphasizing the main subject while symbolizing the timeless value of historical architecture and cultural heritage. With its refined composition and harmonious colors, the artwork is both visually captivating and rich in cultural meaning—a masterpiece that unites painting, calligraphy, architecture, and history.

Artist Bio:
A full-time practitioner of traditional painting techniques from both Eastern and Western art, the artist works across oil painting, Chinese painting, and calligraphy, and has been engaged in art education for many years. Notable works such as Along the River During the Qingming Festival and Dwelling in the Fuchun Mountains have been collected by discerning art patrons. The artist was awarded the “Outstanding Humanity Award” in the New Tang Dynasty Realistic Oil Painting Competition.