Plum Blossoms

The Chinese artist Jin Nong became popular as a painter and calligrapher while living as a childless widower in Yangzhou in his sixties. His paintings of mei (plum) blossoms were in particular demand there. Heralded as one of The Eight Eccentrics of Yangzhou, Jin favored the amateur scholar style. A nonconformist, he generally painted more traditional images laden with symbolism (such as orchids, bamboo, chrysanthemums, and mei blossoms) and preserved his independence by selling works in an open market, rather than adopting an individual patron. Later styles included Buddhist imagery. 

Jin Nong's innovative approach to painting bridges the realms of representation and abstraction. His works span a spectrum of expression, from the exuberance of branches heavy with delicate blossoms to the understated elegance of a single budding twig. A distinctive graphic quality defines his compositions, achieved through the harmonious integration of painted imagery, calligraphy, and seals. His poetic inscriptions, rendered in his characteristically precise and vigorous style, not only enhance the depth and meaning of his imagery but also function as visual elements that bring additional energy and movement to each piece.

P.S. Chinese paintings are known for their distinctive style. Here's all you need to know about Chinese traditional painting!