Monkey on Goat

DING YANYONG (1902-1978) Monkey on Goat Scroll, mounted and framed, ink and colour on paper 68 x 34.4 cm. (26 ¾ x 13 ½ in.) Inscribed and signed, with one seal of the artist Dated wuwu year (1978) SPECIALIST’S NOTE: Monkey on Goat depicts a monkey riding on a goat pretending to be an army general. This is one of the humorous paintings done by the artist: Instead of a monkey riding on a horse, a euphony to receiving a title of marquis, which has the auspicious meaning of getting a promotion. However, in this work, the horse has been replaced by a goat, and the monkey is wearing makeup, head accessory, and holding a rein; turning the symbolism into “monkey business”.