Artwork
Flowers and Insects
Flowers and Insects is an ink painting by the Baroque artist Chai Zhenyi. It dates from 1692 and is held in the collection of the Art Institute of Chicago.
About this work
Overview
Flowers and Insects is a collaborative handscroll painting created by two sisters, Chai Jingyi and Chai Zhengyi, using ink and color on paper. The work depicts a natural scene with flowers and insects.
Subject & Meaning
The painting shows asters, Asiatic dayflowers, and a fruiting wild rose, indicating an autumnal setting. The scene is inhabited by various insects, including a butterfly, mantis, and grasshoppers, which symbolize the passage of seasons, drawing on a literary tradition that associates these creatures with elegance and allusion.
Technique & Style
The sisters' collaboration is notable for their distinct styles; Chai Jingyi is known for semi-abstract images, while Chai Zhengyi's work, like this painting, is characterized by close observation. The painting reflects the cultural ambiance of their hometown, Hangzhou, a city known for its mild climate and beautiful scenery that attracted intellectuals.
Artist & collection
Artist
A painter during China’s Qing dynasty under Emperor Kangxi, Chai Zhenyi worked in ink and color on paper to capture delicate life in motion.
