Lacquer Painting ( CHĂN TRÂU THẢ DIỀU )

The lacquer painting “Chăn trâu thả diều” (Herding Buffalo and Flying a Kite) depicts a young boy lying on his back on a water buffalo while flying a kite. The buffalo in the painting has its front leg lifted as if it wants to fly alongside the kite.

The painting includes the inscription: “Nhất Tướng Phúc Lộc Điền” (A bountiful harvest for the people). The buffalo is walking slowly, its head turned to look directly forward, with bright eyes and horns curved like a crescent moon. The boy has spread a mat on the buffalo’s back and tucked several chrysanthemum branches there. He is shirtless, wearing a loincloth, lying on his back looking at the sky, his right hand firmly holding the string of a full kite that is flying high above him, appearing like a parasol. His belly (the Sino-Vietnamese word for which is “phúc”, meaning blessing or happiness) is round and full, expressing the farmer’s wish for a peaceful life filled with happiness and prosperity.