Golden Fish

Embroidered golden fish shining red

This authentic 1979 Chinese propaganda poster, created in the classic socialist realism style, depicts two smiling young women looking closely at goldfish. The artwork combines vibrant colors with meticulous detail, showing one woman in a pink collared shirt and another in a light blue cardigan standing beside a large, colorful bouquet of red and white roses. Goldfish appear to float elegantly in the air around them, symbolizing prosperity and good fortune in traditional Chinese culture.

Socialist Realism and Cultural Symbolism in Late 1970s Chinese Art

Titled Embroidered Golden Fish Shining Red, this piece showcases the transitioning artistic style of the late Mao era and early reform period in China. The vertical inscription on the right edge reads Xiu chu jinyu ying bo hong, which translates to embroidering goldfish that make the ripples reflect red. This historical print captures a sense of optimism, peaceful domestic life, and artistic craftsmanship, characteristic of late twentieth-century regional publishing houses like the Shanghai People’s Fine Arts Publishing House.

Note: This image is copyright protected