Vegetarian Food

In 1957, Zhang Daqian's residence in Brazil, the Garden of Eight Virtues, was under construction. The artist strained his eyes by attempting to move around heavy rocks in the garden; and thereafter his condition had worsened further by complications of diabetes which Zhang had long suffered. In June 1972, Zhang received laser treatment for his eyes in New York, enabling his right eyesight to see blurred images of objects in close distance. Later, suffering from cataract on his left eye, he took the risk to undergo surgery again.
Zhang Daqian's eyesight had improved since the operations and was further eased by the wearing of glasses. In sharing the joy of this recovery, Zhang happily inscribed in a painting during Mid-Autumn Festival that year, "My eyesight is cleared after being treated by a tool, and comes with it an expanse of light and emptiness where worries and concerns have faded away. I picked up a brush to express my emotions, knowing there are those who yearn for my carefree brushstrokesK Now my eyesight has recovered, I send my good friends in Hong Kong this painting, to share that I have not only good spirits, but I also have good tools to paint."
Painted in April 1973, Cloudy Mountains by the Water embraces an imposing spirit, with large and freehand splashes of ink decorated with finely drawn details. With such variations of strokes, this work is a representative piece after Zhang's recovery and can be appreciated close-up and afar. The next year, Zhang Daqian held a solo exhibition named Exhibition of Zhang Daqian's Painting and Calligraphy at Hong Kong City Hall from 1-7 January with the help of Mr. and Mrs. Li Zulai, where almost a hundred of his works were exhibited.