This silk portrait is a reproduction of a famous news photograph published in the People’s Daily in July 1966. The caption under the portrait describes Chairman Mao observing swimmers fighting against the currents from the deck of a speedboat. This image actually depicts Mao after his famous swim in the Yangtze River on 16 July 1966. Mao was photographed waving to crowds who had gathered by the river for a swimming competition that day. The swim taken by Mao at the onset of the Cultural Revolution has been interpreted as a demonstration of his vigour. At the age of 72, Mao showed that he could conquer the Yangtze and was also able to lead the country. Mao was an avid swimmer and advocated the activity as means to strengthen one physically.
