Vier seizoenen van bloemen en vogels 02 - Zomer, Nationaal Museum van Tokio
Lu Ji, a master of the Ming Dynasty court, captures the vibrant energy of summer in this lush hanging scroll. At the top, two bright yellow orioles perch among blooming white gardenias, their beaks open as if singing a lively duet. Below them, soft pink and white hibiscus flowers climb up a rugged, dark rock face, creating a beautiful contrast between delicate petals and hard stone. Down by the water's edge, a pair of ducks—one swimming gracefully with colorful plumage, the other fluttering down to join it—complete this harmonious ecosystem. This piece is a classic example of the 'bird-and-flower' genre, where every feather and leaf is painted with meticulous, realistic detail.
Location: Tokyo National Museum