Zhang Da-Qian was renowned as one of the prominent representatives in Chinese ink paintings. He was an all-round artist excelled in Landscapes, Figures, Flower-and-Birds, Ladies and Birds paintings. This work was one of his featured flower paintings with an inscription on the top right, detailing his techniques after Ming Flower-and-Bird artist Xu Wei. In this work, two peonies rise from the bottom left. The one on the right is in full bloom, and the left is half-opened, each in their unique forms. Instead of refined brushwork, this painting was completed with boneless technique. Green colour and ink was used to sketch the form of branches and leaves, followed by a blend of pink and white as petals, enhancing its transparent 3-D effect. Dense ink was used to outline the veins and stamens. The excellent combination of ink and colour forms a vivid depiction of the flowers.

This work was made in the 1930s as determined by the characters of the inscriptions and the two seals. Its size was similar to Orange Daylily sold at Ravenel 2020 Spring Auctions (Lot 628). The similar use of seals and style suggests the two paintings might come in one set and might be drawn in the same period. Zhang Da-Qian started practising flowers genre at an early age with exceptional talent. In this period, he took reference to artists from the late Ming and early Qing period, namely Chen Hong-Shou, Bada Shanren, Yangzhou artist Li Chan and Hua Yan. He changed his style to that of Ming floral painter Chen Chun and Xu Wei in his later years. Zhang Daqian once mentioned that, "Among the floral paintings of the Ming dynasty, I love Chen Chun's best, as his talents of Chen outshine Shen Zhou. Another favourite artist would be Xu Wei." The two works Orange Daylily and Peonies highlight their origin and Zhang Da-Qian's talent in floral paintings.