Orchids
Liu Kang
1951
On view : WORLD OF FLOWERS EXHIBITION HALL
More information
- YEAR:1951
- MEDIUM:Oil on canvas
- DIMENSIONS:51×41.5 cm
Introduction
A prized student of Liu Haisu and a founding figure of the Nanyang style, Liu Kang infused the Chinese artistic spirit — rooted in the shared origins of painting and calligraphy — into his oil paintings. Orchids is a quintessential example of his Nanyang style. The orchids, imbued with an Eastern elegance, appear full of movement under the tropical sunlight. Lively, energetic brushstrokes outline the petals, while the sinuous yet resilient stems and the toppled vase inject vitality into the composition. The bright light falling on the petals contrasts with the deep indigo background rendered in dry, textured strokes, giving the work an overall quality of unadorned purity, vividness, and natural charm.
