Flowers and Birds
Li Ming
Artwork Details
Artwork Description
Title: Flowers and Birds
Artist: Li Ming
Date: n.d.
Medium: Ink and color on paper
Dimensions: 16.1 × 19.7 in (41 × 50 cm)
1. Artwork Identification
This expressive composition by Li Ming features a lively entanglement of red blossoms and dark foliage, interwoven with curling vines and a delicately rendered grasshopper perched on a branch. The juxtaposition of rich red and green hues against a soft paper tone invites visual harmony and contemplation.
2. Artistic Style and Influences
Executed in traditional Chinese brush techniques, the painting demonstrates a spontaneous and rhythmic aesthetic, characteristic of xieyi (freehand) style. Li’s masterful brush control and ink diffusion recall the vitality of 20th-century literati painting, while the use of vibrant pigment points to modern innovation within a classical format.
3. Historical Context
The Flowers and Birds genre (huaniao hua) has long been celebrated in Chinese art history as a symbol-laden and poetic subject. In this work, the playful yet precise depiction of flora and fauna aligns with a cultural tradition that views the natural world as an allegory for human sentiment and philosophical ideals.
4. Provenance
Provenance documentation can be provided upon contact.
5. Condition and Conservation
The artwork is in very good condition. The paper shows a few light surface marks and minor discoloration, but these do not detract from the overall aesthetic integrity. The colors remain fresh and the brushwork retains its original energy.
6. Artistic Significance
Li Ming’s Flowers and Birds reveals a delicate balance between spontaneity and structure, celebrating the enduring appeal of nature-inspired imagery. The vivid presence of the insect adds a touch of narrative and movement, enriching the symbolic and compositional depth of the piece.