Artwork Description

Title:Flowers and Birds

Artist
Shi Rongqiang

Date
n.d.

Medium: Traditional Chinese Painting (Ink and Color on Paper)

Dimensions
13.8 x 13.8 in (35 x 35 cm)

1. Artwork Identification
This vibrant ink and color painting by Shi Rongqiang depicts a striking close-up of a swallow adorned with a vine-like garland, set against a delicate floral backdrop. The bird’s rich plumage in indigo and chestnut tones and its expressive eye invite an intimate, anthropomorphic reading, turning a traditional bird portrait into an emotionally resonant vignette.

2. Artistic Style and Influences
Shi Rongqiang fuses the Gongbi and Baimiao techniques of classical Chinese art with a sense of theatricality and emotional nuance more often seen in Western traditions. His choice of soft hues—evocative of Tang and Song Dynasty ceramics—adds depth and symbolism, while the subject matter and rendering suggest influence from European fairy tales, particularly in the storytelling aspect conveyed through animal portraiture.

3. Historical Context
Born in 1973 in Shandong, China, Shi Rongqiang trained at Qufu Academy of Fine Arts and the Nanjing Art Institute under Professor Zhou Jingxin. His unique visual language bridges the literati aesthetic with contemporary psychological introspection. Through his paintings, Shi reimagines the “flowers and birds” genre as a Medium: of narrative expression.

4. Provenance
Provenance documentation can be provided upon contact.

5. Condition and Conservation
The work is in very good condition. The pigments remain vivid, and the paper is structurally sound with no tears, foxing, or discoloration evident.

6. Artistic Significance
Shi Rongqiang’s work occupies a unique space in contemporary Chinese ink painting, distinguished by its blend of tradition, narrative depth, and anthropomorphic symbolism. This piece, representative of his larger body of work, resonates with collectors who appreciate the lyrical fusion of nature, emotion, and allegory. It is an exceptional example of how the artist humanizes his animal subjects, inviting viewers into a quiet world of introspective charm.