Mist Shrouding Jade Trees, silk, 137.5×65.4 (Beijing)
Chen Lu, a Ming Dynasty master known for his obsession with plum blossoms, captures an ethereal winter scene here. The gnarled, twisting branches heavy with delicate white blooms seem to float in a sea of fog, with a horizontal band of mist creating a ghostly, mirror-like effect above. It looks as if the trees are growing out of a dreamy landscape, blurring the line between the solid earth and the airy sky. Painted on silk, this piece showcases the traditional 'ink plum' style, where the stark contrast of dark, rugged branches against pale flowers symbolizes resilience and purity—a favorite subject for scholars who admired the flower's ability to bloom in the harsh cold.
- Technique
- Ink and color
- Material
- Silk
- Dimensions
- 137.5 x 65.4 cm
Location: Palace Museum, Beijing