A glimpse of spring vitality through paintings

By Lin Qi |Source：chinadaily.com.cn

Silver Pheasants under Wisteria, a painting by Wang Xuetao. [Photo/Courtesy of Beijing Fine Art Academy]

Flower–and-birds paintings began to gain a position of increasing importance in the world of Chinese art in the seventh century. The works, which present lively scenes of birds flying between and resting on a variety of blossoms in a vibrant color scheme, bring viewers a touch of spring.

Beijing Fine Art Academy boasts a collection of fine flower-and-bird pieces produced by prominent painters active in the 20th century. Through these depictions of nature, one can also get a glimpse of the diversity of the art communities in Beijing and Shanghai at the time.

Peonies and Pomegranates, a painting by Wu Changshuo. [Photo/Courtesy of Beijing Fine Art Academy]

Featured figures included Wu Changshuo, recognized a leading reformer of art in South China, who integrated the forms of Chinese calligraphy into his body of work. His approach to painting became well-received among an emerging group of middle-class city dwellers.

Another noted painter at the time was Qi Baishi, who took Wu's advice to adopt a carefree style. His paintings juxtapose small insects drawn with meticulous brushwork and blooming green plants painted with loose strokes, thereafter achieving a poetic feeling in Qi's fans, mostly in North China.

Morning Dew, a painting by Cui Zifan. [Photo/Courtesy of Beijing Fine Art Academy]

Lotus and Halcyon, a painting by Wang Shensheng. [Photo/Courtesy of Beijing Fine Art Academy]

Ducks, a painting by Lou Shibai. [Photo/Courtesy of Beijing Fine Art Academy]

Crane, a painting by Qi Baishi. [Photo/Courtesy of Beijing Fine Art Academy]

Blossoms, a painting by Chen Banding. [Photo/Courtesy of Beijing Fine Art Academy]