Pair of Chinese Rice Paper Paintings
果蔬主题通草画

Framed gouache on rice paper, depicting vegetables and fruits. The painting subject is extremely rare showing papaya, eggplant, bergamot, coconut, and other plants that are not commonly seen in Chinese traditional paintings. It can be inferred that the painting was an export product customized for the Western market or customers.

该画作的主题非常罕见。画中有木瓜，茄子，佛手柑，椰子等在中国不常见的植物。由此可推测该画作是为西方市场或客人定制的外销品。

通草又名通脱木，五加科子乔木，茎中的髓颜色洁白，有丝绒的质感。把这种植物树心切成薄薄的切片，薄而半透明，可以用来作画。