Artwork Description

Mo Xiong
Flowers, n.d.
ink and watercolour on paper
25.6 x 15.4 in. (65 x 39 cm)

This richly layered still life presents a profusion of orange and tangerine blossoms emerging from a deep-toned vase, surrounded by lush green foliage and scattered white florets. The composition unfolds against a velvety plum background, which intensifies the chromatic saturation of the floral forms and enhances their visual depth.

The painterly surface is animated by a fluid interplay of ink and watercolour, where expressive brushwork and tonal gradation generate a sense of continuous movement. The handling of pigment alternates between controlled definition and atmospheric diffusion, reinforcing the work’s dynamic equilibrium.

The subject matter draws upon the long tradition of floral imagery in Chinese art, where blossoms symbolise vitality, seasonal transition, and aesthetic refinement. This work reinterprets such conventions through a modern chromatic language informed by Western post-impressionist and expressive tendencies.

The work is in very good condition, with strong pigment retention and a clean, stable support. Provenance: documentation can be provided upon request.