Chongqing People Drawing Water

Inscription: I saw people from Chongqing with their carrying poles. They were drawing water to carry the long way home. Every drop of water is the product of hard work, blood, and sweat. In the winter of 1937, I followed National Central University to Sichuan, and I painted what I saw. Beihong. For my beloved wife, Jingwen, to keep.
Seal: “Xu” (Round seal with relief characters) and “Beihong” (Square seal with relief characters)

In winter 1937, Xu Beihong followed National Central University to Chongqing. He saw people in the mountains carrying water on poles up the stairs. He sympathized with the hardships of laborers and created Chongqing People Drawing Water. This work was made in the classroom as a model for students.
In the six months from winter 1937 to summer 1938, Xu Beihong made three works drawn from reality: Chongqing People Drawing Water, Poor Woman, and Washing Clothing.