Oil on linen, 66" x 66", 1991
The official flea market has opened. One may be startled to see what is for sale. Scholars and women have nothing to sell but their heads and bodies. The servants of the royal emperor have only their ranking hat or rubber stamp to sell. Those that sell religious prophecies always make a good living -- as long as people believe, they will buy predictions of the future. The richest salesmen are the emperor's army generals, because they have permission to sell their arms. The busiest person in the painting is the tax collector.
Oil on linen, 48" x 48", 1991
The royal family has only a few dominant, powerful people around them. Their relationships resemble a team of tightrope walkers, in that every step they take, they must counterbalance those who have opposing views.
Oil on linen, 68" x 68", 1991
The last words of a dying person are kind. So are the words of an Emperor when he comes to the end of his life. He suggests that a change to Democracy is important to prevent disaster or the rebellion of the people, but all the important people around the dying Emperor oppose his suggestion, because in their hearts they have the desire to experience the power of being the Emperor themselves.
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