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This is a drawing of a dragon coiled around an elaborate vase. The vase features intricate designs and scenes, including figures and symbols, with the dragon clutching a piece of paper labelled "U.S. TREATY." The setting evokes a sense of cultural diplomacy or negotiation. The illustration contains a variety of elements that seem to portray a blend of Eastern and Western motifs, with a focus on the ornate style of the vase's artwork and the powerful presence of the dragon. The drawing is detailed with an ink rendering, conveying a sense of intricate craftsmanship both in the depiction of the mythical creature and the decoratively illustrated vase.
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This is a drawing of a dragon coiled around an elaborate vase. The vase features intricate designs and scenes, including figures and symbols, with the dragon clutching a piece of paper labelled "U.S. TREATY." The setting evokes a sense of cultural diplomacy or negotiation. The illustration contains a variety of elements that seem to portray a blend of Eastern and Western motifs, with a focus on the ornate style of the vase's artwork and the powerful presence of the dragon. The drawing is detailed with an ink rendering, conveying a sense of intricate craftsmanship both in the depiction of the mythical creature and the decoratively illustrated vase.

National Gallery of Art · Print

A Diplomatic (Chinese) Design Presented to U.S.

Thomas Nast

Date
1881
Medium
wood engraving in black on newsprint
Dimensions
sheet: 40.32 × 28.58 cm (15 7/8 × 11 1/4 in.)
Classification
Print
Accession number
2013.3.7
Credit line
Donald and Nancy deLaski Fund
Time span
1876 to 1900
Department
CG-W
Original NGA record Wikidata

Subjects and terms

  • Dragon
  • Vase
  • wood engraving
Provenance

Acquired in 2013 from The Old Print Shop, New York.

Inscription

caption in letterpress at bottom: A DIPLOMATIC (CHINESE) DESIGN PRESENTED TO U.S.; lower right: SKETCHED AT A PRIVATE VIEW IN WASHINGTON.; signed in the block: Th: Nast

NGA object ID 159753. Collection metadata is reproduced under CC0. This work is included because its NGA published-image record is marked open access; visitors should recheck the source record before substantial reuse.