Artwork Description

Title: Flowers and Birds
Artist: Yang Zeng
Date: n.d.
Medium: Ink and color on paper
Dimensions: 27.2 x 27.2 in (69 x 69 cm)

1. Artwork Identification
This vibrant square-format work by Yang Zeng, Title:d Flowers and Birds, is a minimalist yet expressive ink and color painting on paper. Two vividly rendered birds with yellow heads and pink beaks peek playfully from behind dark rock formations, juxtaposed against sharply contoured ochre cliffs and a soft wash of green foliage. The brushwork is bold, rhythmic, and composed with an economy of detail that lends charm and clarity to the scene.

2. Artistic Style and Influences
Yang Zeng’s style reflects the influence of 20th-century Chinese ink painting movements that embraced simplification, symbolic color, and narrative wit. With roots in the xieyi (freehand) tradition, the artist employs strong compositional contrasts and a modern palette to convey personality and mood rather than strict naturalism. The balance of saturated pigments with expressive brush gestures evokes the legacy of artists like Qi Baishi, known for their accessible yet sophisticated approach.

3. Historical Context
While undated, this work aligns stylistically with the modern Chinese ink painting revival that gained momentum in the post-Republican period, where artists infused traditional subject matter with a contemporary visual lexicon. Birds, rocks, and foliage—longstanding motifs of harmony and resilience in Chinese art—are here presented with a light-hearted spirit, contributing to the cultural dialogue between tradition and innovation.

4. Provenance
Provenance documentation can be provided upon contact.

5. Condition and Conservation
The work appears in excellent condition, with pigments clean and stable, and the paper free from visible creases or discoloration. The ink remains saturated and balanced, with no signs of fading. The painting shows no restoration and has been well preserved.

6. Artistic Significance
Flowers and Birds by Yang Zeng is a delightfully composed and stylistically mature work that combines humor, elegance, and tradition. Its modern execution of classical themes positions it as a compelling acquisition for collectors interested in contemporary Chinese ink painting that remains rooted in literati sensibility. The piece offers both aesthetic appeal and cultural richness.