Artwork Description

Title: Bamboo, Chrysanthemum, Orchid, Plum Blossom
Artist: Mo Xiong
Date: n.d.
Medium: Ink and color on paper
Dimensions: 4 panels, each 68 x 34 cm (26.8 x 13.4 in)

1. Artwork Identification
This refined set of four fan-shaped paintings by Mo Xiong, Title:d Bamboo, Chrysanthemum, Orchid, and Plum Blossom, presents a delicate tableau of traditional Chinese botanic motifs paired with birds in seasonal landscapes. Executed in ink and color on paper, each fan measures 68 x 34 cm and showcases the artist’s lyrical brushwork, subtle coloration, and adherence to classical compositional elegance. The works are painted on shimmering speckled paper, heightening the sense of refined craftsmanship and cultural reverence.

2. Artistic Style and Influences
Mo Xiong works within the literati tradition of Chinese painting, where flora and fauna are depicted not merely for naturalistic purposes but to evoke deeper moral and poetic associations. His style merges technical finesse with spiritual resonance, drawing from Song and Ming dynasty precedents while displaying a modern clarity in brush handling. The meticulous rendering of bamboo, orchid, chrysanthemum, and plum blossom—each symbolic of resilience, humility, integrity, and renewal—resonates with themes explored by scholar-artists over centuries.

3. Historical Context
The four plants depicted—known collectively as the "Four Gentlemen"—have been central motifs in Chinese painting since at least the Yuan dynasty. They were favored by scholar-officials for their embodiment of Confucian virtues and served as visual emblems of the literati identity. Mo Xiong’s set follows this tradition, reflecting a longstanding cultural veneration for symbolic flora and its intersection with seasonal change, inner cultivation, and poetic reflection.

4. Provenance
Provenance documentation can be provided upon contact.

5. Condition and Conservation
All four panels are in very good condition. The paper surfaces show no visible losses, stains, or folds. The pigments remain vibrant and well-preserved, with no indications of fading or flaking. These works exhibit only minor signs of natural aging appropriate to their medium and format.

6. Artistic Significance
This ensemble exemplifies the enduring scholarly significance and aesthetic refinement of traditional Chinese fan painting. Mo Xiong’s work not only upholds the rigorous standards of classical brushwork but also contributes to the living continuity of symbolic painting in Chinese culture. The rarity of a complete set representing all four botanical emblems enhances the collection's value for connoisseurs of Chinese ink painting and classical themes.