Artwork Description

Title: Begonia Remains the Same
Artist: Lv Jiang
Date: n.d.
Medium: Ink and watercolour on paper
Dimensions: 8.3 x 23.6 in (21 x 60 cm)

1. Artwork Identification
In this beautifully stylized fan-shaped composition, Begonia Remains the Same, Lv Jiang presents a luminous female portrait enveloped in floral forms and decorative textures. The figure’s golden hair flows in graceful waves across the arc of the composition, accented by soft petals, bright plum lipstick, and expressive, almond-shaped eyes. Set against a pale aqua backdrop with splashes of colour, the work glows with theatrical elegance and emotional nuance.

2. Artistic Style and Influences
Lv Jiang’s fan paintings continue to blend the tradition of Chinese literati formats with the aesthetics of contemporary pop surrealism and feminine portraiture. The facial features and ornate styling evoke the refinement of Peking Opera figures, filtered through a distinctly modern lens. The floral motifs—particularly the begonia over the cheek—serve both as botanical detail and as symbolic mask, merging identity and ornamentation.

3. Historical Context
As a graduate of both Nanjing Art College and Suzhou University, and a current professor of Nanjing Art College, Lv Jiang represents a generation of Chinese artists deeply rooted in classical technique but unafraid to reimagine its form and meaning. His fan series, including this portrait, repurposes the once-decorative fan format to explore beauty, stylization, and cultural memory. The begonia here may allude to ideas of enduring elegance and transformation, frequently explored in Chinese poetry and visual culture.

4. Provenance
Provenance documentation can be provided upon contact.

5. Condition and Conservation
The artwork is in very good condition. The paper is clean and stable, with no visible signs of damage, foxing, or creasing. Watercolor pigments remain vibrant and fully saturated. The seals and inscription are crisp and well preserved.

6. Artistic Significance
Begonia Remains the Same is a graceful and visually arresting work that reflects Lv Jiang’s commitment to hybridized forms and poetic imagery. It merges classical craftsmanship with modern expression, embodying the sensibilities of a contemporary Chinese ink artist attuned to both visual tradition and imaginative reinvention. As a standalone piece or part of a broader collection, this painting offers elegance, personality, and cultural depth.