Two Crossed Plum Branches in Snow

A popular subject in Chinese painting, flower blossoms constitute major subjects of both printed manuals. By the 17th century, many species of flowers had become classic and venerated subjects, rich in symbolic, poetic, and art historical associations. For example, images of the Four Gentlemen-plum, orchid, bamboo and chrysanthemum-are prevailing in both manuals.

These prints feature simple compositions of flowers, which allow the artists created the details with multiple colors and surface textures. The volume of flower petals was achieved through gradations caused by varying the thickness of pigments. Bark, leaf veins, calyx and cortexes were printed in several layers to achieve the effect of coarse and substantial textures.