Artwork Description

Title: Rain Flower Stone
Artist: Hu Yi
Date: n.d.
Medium: Ink and watercolor on paper
Dimensions: 27.2 x 18.1 in (69 x 46 cm)

1. Artwork Identification
Rain Flower Stone is a vivid and symbolically rich still life by Hu Yi, painted in ink and watercolor on paper. The composition centers on a porcelain bowl filled with colorful, polished rain flower stones (雨花石), presented atop a traditional wooden pedestal. A scholar’s rock and ornamental pine branches frame the scene, evoking a sense of natural harmony and refined taste. The overall effect is both decorative and contemplative, balancing elegance with spiritual allusion.

2. Artistic Style and Influences
Hu Yi's style fuses classical Chinese painting traditions with a modern sensitivity to color and form. The rain flower stones—famed for their natural beauty and meditative symbolism—are rendered in jewel-like hues that contrast with the muted monochrome brushwork of the background. The composition pays homage to literati still life painting, while the bold stylization and dynamic brushstrokes reflect influences from mid-20th-century ink reformists who emphasized individual expression within traditional formats.

3. Historical Context
Rain flower stones are uniquely associated with Nanjing, where they were often used as symbols of purity, transformation, and good fortune. During the 20th century, their presence in art served not only as aesthetic embellishment but also as subtle cultural commentary, reflecting a reverence for nature and regional heritage. Hu Yi’s painting continues this lineage, embedding a well-known cultural motif within a composition that bridges introspective tradition and visual exuberance.

4. Provenance
Provenance documentation can be provided upon contact.

5. Condition and Conservation
The artwork is in very good condition. The paper is stable and clean, with no evidence of damage, discoloration, or repairs. Pigments remain fresh and vibrant. No conservation treatment is currently necessary.

6. Artistic Significance
Rain Flower Stone is an excellent example of Hu Yi’s ability to engage deeply with Chinese symbolic objects and present them through a modern lens. The work not only demonstrates technical finesse in brushwork and color handling, but also encapsulates the artist’s sensitivity to cultural nuance. It is a piece that resonates with collectors of Chinese still life painting and those drawn to the material poetry of natural forms.