Signature
Signed YU Chung-lin in Chinese
With three seals of the artist
PROVENANCE
Acquired directly from the artist's family
EXHIBITED
"Elegance and Grace: A Memorial Exhibition of Flower and Bird Paintings by Yu Chung-Lin", National Museum of History, Taipei, 14 January, 2012 - 28 February, 2012
ILLUSTRATED
Elegance and Grace: A Commemorative Collection of Flower and Bird Paintings by Yu Chung-Lin, National Museum of History, Taipei, 2012, pp. 146-147
+ OVERVIEW
The gongbi flower and bird paintings by Yu Chung-lin were acclaimed by Zhang Da-qian. After relocating to Yunhe Building, Yu Chung-lin and Zhang Da-qian were neighbours and later became friends. Zhang recognized Yu's dedication towards classical gongbi flower and bird paintings, and offered Yu his classical scrolls for imitation. This shows Zhang's generosity towards the talents he encountered. This painting has an intriguing composition with the freehand style of Xu Wei and Zhang Da-qian. Starting with the stem, Yu Chun-lin painted it with a central brush with saturated dots. The leaves spread from the center across the painting. With a combination of brushwork and gradation of ink, the plant was completed in a realistic and vibrant way. The flowers were sketched with double outlines, then applied with white powder. The stamen and pod were depicted with a small brush in meticulous detail. A red and green bird flew by sketching with dry brush, cun strokes and a combination of colour and ink. The red belly, beak and claws were delicately depicted. The extending leaves of the water plant were depicted realistically in various forms forming a tranquil and relaxing scenery, and a rare and exquisite work of art by Yu Chung-lin.