5-IV-71 by Kim Hwangi, 1971, Modern.

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This image is considered both Buddhist or Taoist.

The two circular radiating patterns incorporate both native and naturalized elements from diverse Korean and Chinese traditions.

Pine Spirit by Wu Guanzhong, Modern, 1984

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This painting depicts the Huang Mountains. The mountains seem to be disturbed by a black squiggle in front of them, which we believe demonstrates the concept of yin and yang, a pillar of Taoism.

The yin and yang symbolize the balance between nature and opposing forces. In this painting, the balance between nature (symbolized by the Huang Mountains) and the opposing forces (the black squiggle).

Poet on a Mountain Top, Ming Dynasty

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This artwork has both a painting and a poem involved.

The translation of the poem reads:
White clouds like a scarf enfold the mountain’s waist
Stone steps hang in space — a long narrow path.
Alone, leaning on my cane, I gaze intently at the scene,
And feel like answering the murmuring brook with the music of my flute.

The poem emphasizes how the poem on the mountaintop is becoming one with nature. He (or she) is on a narrow path and gazing intently at the scene before him (or her). When the poem speaks of answering the brook with a flute, the poet is attempted to communicate with nature.

The emphasis on communication with nature makes the artwork an example of Taoist art, because Taoist’s strongly believe in the human relationship with nature.

Travelers Among Mountains and Streams, Song Dynasty

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“Travelers Among Mountains and Streams” is generally considered a Taoist painting because of the way it emphasizes a close relationship between humans and nature.

The composition is laid out in three stages, alluding to the three acts of a drama. In the bottom level is a group of rocks that establishes in a foreground. In the middle ground, a group of travelers and their mules are entering the image from the right. The middle ground takes up twice as much space as the foreground. The background is the largest part of the picture, and the mountain solidifies and bursts as energetic brush strokes describe the scrubby growth on top.

The painting conveys a feeling to the viewer of climbing a mountain and leaving behind the human reality to come face to face with a spiritual reckoning and Great Ultimate in communion.

“Detail of Admonitions”, Six Dynasties Period

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The full title of this image is “Detail of Admonitions of the Imperial Instructress to Court Ladies”.

This image shows an escaped circus bear that rushes to kill the Han Emperor. The female servants are show running away from the bear, while the male figures attempt to fight it off with spears. Lady Feng, calm and ladylike, simply places herself in front of the bear, protecting the emperor in her own way.

This painting illustrates two out of the six ideal painting principles as written by scholar Xie He.

(1) It depicts the belief of the daoist/taoist qui, or the breath that animates all creation and shows life’s movement.
(2) The brush strokes illustrate the bones of the picture, which is a primary structural element.