Picture of Willow and Swallow

燕 (swallow)

: "Yan" is an easily recognizable pictographic character. In oracle bone...

Picture of Willow and Swallow
Hanging scroll; ink and color on paper
Height: 69.1 cm, width: 32.3 cm
Preserved in Nanjing Museum

It's an ink and wash painting in impressionistic style applied with light colors. By virtue of gradation of ink and colors and stress of dark ink, the light and gamboling postures of swallows are vividly painted on the paper. The willow is out of simple lines painted with dry ink for its branches. Featuring concise and lively style, the picture is accomplished in unity of form and spirit.

Wang Wenzhi (1730 to 1802), styled Yuqing, also named Menglou, was from Dantu (Zhenjiang), Jiangsu Province. His calligraphy was naturally graceful featuring the verve of Dong Qichang's works, making him on a par with the famous calligrapher Liang Tongshu.

Picture of Willow and Swallow

: Jiushi wangxie tangqian yan, feiru xunchang baixing jia (The swallows, visitors to the mansions of those noble families in the bygone days, are flying into the houses of ordinary people)