Rabbits inhabit a special spot in painting's past

Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) court painter Leng Mei's gongbi (fine-brush) ink painting Double Rabbits Under the Scholar Trees has been capturing growing public attention as the Year of the Rabbit approaches.

The scene depicted in this artwork has been appearing on a growing number of souvenir coins, replica paintings and, particularly appropriately, calendars.

Leng (1669-1742), a Shandong province native, lived under Qing emperors Kangxi, Yongzheng and Qianlong.