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Mao and vice president Hua Guofeng

Two men dressed as workers hold up framed portraits of the Chairman and his appointed successor, Hua Guofeng, while a young boy rushes up to them, offering a bouquet of flowers. This work highlights the problem of succession: by the early 1970s, Mao’s health had greatly deteriorated and the Party looked for a successor to fill the Chairman’s enormous shoes. After the death of the Premier Zhou Enlai, Hua Guofeng was chosen to continue the revolution in Mao’s stead. Works of art, such as this, were created to emphasize Mao’s direct approval and ensure a smooth transition of power. However, Hua’s reign was ultimately shortened as Deng Xiaoping ousted him from power to become the Chairman of the Party and de-facto leader of China by 1980.
20th c.
50.2 x 20.3 x 12.7 cm