This Chinese scroll painting gathers orchid, butterfly and colorful gongbi into one classical composition, painted the old way on silk. Every element earns its place — nothing is filler, nothing shouts. You'll notice orchid, butterfly and colorful gongbi woven through the composition, giving the eye somewhere to wander.
As a colorful gongbi chinese painting scroll painting, it sits comfortably alongside much older pieces without feeling like a copy. Beyond the looks, there is meaning: butterflies speak of joy, love and a light heart. Color stays lively, varied color — enough to lift the ink, never enough to shout. The composition gives orchid pride of place, with butterfly to balance it. It goes up on a single cord and lies flat to the wall, just as hanging scrolls have for centuries.
If you collect chinese painting scroll pieces, this one earns its place. It asks only for wall space and soft light; everything else it brings along. It is a fine example of orchid and butterfly Chinese painting, the kind of piece that grows on you.
