Classical Chinese painting loved scenes like this one — beauty, lady and flower basket, balanced on silk with a sure hand. Every element earns its place — nothing is filler, nothing shouts. The painter didn't skimp on detail — beauty, lady and flower basket all get their moment.
The colorful gongbi handling shows in every stroke — fine outlines filled with layered mineral color. People who collect this genre will read the meaning at once — in China the written word outranks all other arts — a good hand was the scholar's calling card. Expect lively, varied color throughout; the restraint is deliberate, and it works. Morning light and lamplight each find something different in it. One cord, one nail: the scroll hangs flat and true, in the time-honored fashion.
It asks only for wall space and soft light; everything else it brings along. A thoughtful housewarming choice for anyone with a soft spot for Chinese brush art. It is a fine example of beauty and lady Chinese painting, the kind of piece that grows on you.
