There is nothing fussy about this scroll: blooming peonies, honest brushwork, and room to breathe. The peony gives the scroll its character — familiar, yet painted as if seen for the first time. What makes it work are the particulars: purple peony, pink peony and butterflies, painted with a light, sure touch.
As a colorful gongbi peony painting, it sits comfortably alongside much older pieces without feeling like a copy. It is the kind of image scholars once hung for its meaning as much as its beauty: butterflies speak of joy, love and a light heart. Expect quiet purples, pale pinks and lively, varied color throughout; the restraint is deliberate, and it works. The painting seems to breathe with the day's light, changing in small ways. The silk mounting is its frame, in effect — traditional, complete, and ready for the wall.
Collectors of peony silk wall art will find this one easy to live with. Place it where life slows down: near the books, above the tea things, or over a low console.
