Wang Shishen Spring Scent Fragrant Country Map Axis

[Axis of Wang Shishen’s Fragrant Spring Scenery]

Axis of the Fragrant Spring Scenery, painted by Wang Shishen in the Qing Dynasty, paper edition, colored, 95 cm vertically and 60.2 cm horizontally
The inscription on the upper right of the picture: “The country is fragrant with the spring breeze. The Qingshan Book House, Shishen. Geng Shen Zhongchun.” The seal of “Wang Shishen”, “Wang Jinren” and the seal of “Fuxi” are stamped at the bottom
“Gengshen” is the fifth year of Qianlong’s reign in the Qing Dynasty (1740), when Wang Shishen was 55 years old
In the lower right corner, the seal of “Li Yimeng’s income after 50 years”, “no room to live” and “Qingjing” are stamped
In the picture, plum, orchid, bamboo and white peony are painted. Plum, orchid and bamboo, among the “Four Gentlemen”, are common themes in literati paintings to symbolize the noble character of literati, while peony often appears in court paintings, with rich and noble taste. It is Wang Shishen’s idea to combine the two in one picture. The whole picture highlights the word “fragrance” to show the vitality of spring. Under Wang Shishen’s pen, spring is not a time when flowers are blooming, but a time when flowers are blooming. It is also a time when young plum branches and bamboos, orchids swaying in the wind, and even white peonies are growing quietly. This is Wang Shishen’s unique aesthetic taste. The ink brush in the picture and the green and white flowers of the peony branches and leaves set a cool and elegant tone, while the red orchids are the finishing touch, making the picture full of lively charm in the cold and sparse beauty. Wang Shishen’s flowers not only have the quality of personification, but also are his own portrayal of being aloof and aloof, safe and poor.