Camellias and Orchids, Hanging Scroll
Wang Shishen
Qing Dynasty
- MEDIUM:Ink on paper
- FORMATS:Hanging scroll
- DIMENSIONS:Height 88.5 cm; Width 29.5 cm
Introduction
At the age of fifty-six, despite being blind in his left eye, Wang Shishen was inspired by blooming camellias in the winter snow and eagerly captured them in this painting. Using expressive, lightly rendered brushwork, he depicted camellias alongside elegantly poised orchids, arranging the composition with careful balance. Though no bright colors are applied, the work exudes vitality and charm. A tea enthusiast throughout his life, Wang saw camellias as a special symbol, while orchids represented purity and nobility. In a poem inscribed in the upper right, he wrote: “Without enduring the cold, how could one cherish the old and the sick? Even in harsh winter, there is joy, awaiting the spring breeze.” Here, the camellia represents his own resilience and cheerful spirit, reflecting his noble character and optimistic outlook.
This work was formerly in the collection of modern painter Wang Shensheng.
