SB,

If the body language is the key, then it could be that the man fishing (Ren Bishi) will demonstrate to the soldier that he is in no hurry with what he is doing (revolution) and that fishing serves many purposes such as living of the land, time to meditation and reflection. The soldier seem anxious to get on.

What I meant with agenda was that this picture could be commissioned to show a specific situation that could serve as education for the revolutionaries and in that way it would not be the painters idea/agenda.

Allan

Allan: Nice try!
What you said "no hurry" and "living" are really good, part of the answer. You would get some point. But,no hurry to the revolution?
Dear Allan, the burden of the whole army, over 20 thousand life plus one new born baby of his, is on his back.
It is another phrase, "danger exists at every second" when enemy is quite close.
You may consult with someone.
It is the artist's idea. He is a teacher of the Art Col. of the P.L.A. After 1976, artists are not afraid as much as before. Ren is best loved, even Zhou Enlai's image was severely tarnished, especially, after the Cultural Revolution, a calamity, many thought if Ren were alive, many life could have been saved.

Trying a bit more.

I don

Historical Context?
 

Hi SB -

I don't know much of the history of these people, so that makes it difficult to read any more than a general meaning into this picture.

To me, fishing means patience, because one must be patient to get a result.

Also, for me I have a Christian context for fishing. The term "fishing for men" comes to mind, where you seek to help others to come to know Christ. Knowing communist ideology, however, I doubt this is the meaning, but I surely think that patience in meeting a goal is likely.

The body language of the two people in the forefront is calm. They know each other and they trust each other.

I am puzzled by the people in the background. They seem to have been put in the composition as a counterpoint to the two people in the foreground, and they disturb the tranquility of the composition to my eyes.

More thoughts
 

Actually, I looked again at the painting and the two figures are necessary to the composition to balance the direction the foreground figures are heading. What I think disturbs me is how they are almost "floating" in gray. They are meant to be seen, that is for sure. They are literally in opposition to the foreground figures and even appear to be heading in a different direction.

The foreground figure is fishing, but the end of the pole is not seen. Therefore, the symbolism of "the end is not yet in view" could be considered. The goal is not yet met, the whole journey is not complete. The fisher is obviously a teacher to the other figure.

The River
 

Maybe the river has significance. It is the medium for fishing and it divides the two groups.

Okay, SB - I have done what I can to interpret this painting. I would be interested in knowing what was the artist's intention.

Allan and Jullie:
Both of you are in the right direction! Both won ten points.
Ren Bishi is a leader characterized by his keeping calm at critical moment.
Maybe the phrase of "not in a flurried manner" is better than "no
hurry" in expressing its intended meaning. There may have ten points one can analyze.
For instance, in ancient Chinese artwork , we can see many similar paintings: a sole figure fishing, in which it shows: aloof from the masses, and avoiding chaotic society or vanity of material world. On the contrary, this is a new person in big time.As men with guns, they'll change the world. Connecting to the masses is their lifeline,i.e., friendship. In another mollifying aspect of this work, they lived in collective life in war time communism. For instance, soldiers are not too far away.
When I say "when the enemy is close", I didn't mean that the situation is showing on this painting. So maybe the soldier (mainly for compositional purpose)and the river have significance, but they are only secondary.
There is a Chinese idiom related to fishing.
(Edited by Dr. James Yang, NJ)
__________________
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In real life, Ren was 32, the painting shows over 60. The Artist have to use a familiar but old looking image, a standard portrait ,( for a period of time). Ren wears shorts in the Long March in summer. The artist changed that, too. The color is amazing, not copying reality but better than reality.
The artistic truth doesn't equal to reality. Art should be stronger, more concentrated, more typical.
When one said "no hurry", he might consider that action at that moment and place only. But the artist, making use of a scene at this time and place, intend to show his lifetime character.

http://search.yahoo.com/search?fr=us...il&p=ren+bishi

Thank you for this comment, SB. It sums up what I've been trying to clarify for myself for some time.

What can we inspire from sharpening a knife?