A vertical painting of a bundle of many types of flowers set in a vase-like vessel. The bottom of this vessel contains netted rope through which many blossoms can be seen. A plethora of blooms and leaves extend upward from the top of the vessel.

Flowers of the Four Seasons

Qing dynasty (1644–1911), 18th/19th century

Artist unknown (spurious attribution to Prince Yongrong) Chinese

China

Meticulously outlined and colored with a finely tapered brush, these multiseasonal flowers—including iris, peony, lotus, poppy, lily, narcissus, chrysanthemum, nandina berry, and plum—display a draftsman-like style mastered by court artists. The inscription on this painting attributes its image of floral abundance to Yongrong, the sixth son of the Qianlong emperor (r. 1735-95). Prince Yongrong supervised the Imperial Household Department, which served diverse needs of the emperor and his family in the residential quarters of the palace. The attribution of this painting remains open to study.

Hanging scroll; ink and colors on paper

Arts of Asia