Fisher folk moored under trees

While scenes of everyday family life are rare in Chinese painting, the families of ordinary fishermen are frequently shown both at work and leisure. Generally depicted leading a healthy, carefree existence with the bounty of nature at their feet, fishing families came to symbolize the welfare enjoyed by society under the aegis of an enlightened ruler. Starting in the Southern Song dynasty (1127-1279), such depictions became a subgenre of their own, known as "the joys of fishermen." In this typical example, several families moor closely together by a riverbank behind a screen of drying nets. With the day's work done, the men are drinking and relaxing. One man conceals something behind his back, as the fellow opposite stretches out his hand, wishing to see it. Three of the women attend young children, while a fourth washes a cup over the side of a boat. Nearby, two older children take fish from a large bamboo basket and drop them into a pot.

The five paintings seen here illustrating activities on the rivers of China were created by and for members of the educated elite. From their perspective, the common fisherman, surrounded by and working in harmony with his family and friends, led an enviably simple existence untroubled by outside issues and events. Accordingly, fishermen frequently appear in settings that emphasize the cooperative and communal nature of their livelihood.