Geese, Birds and Flowers

明朝佚名糊絏竹梅椿楀圖焈絹本痓綎

For more than 1300 years the pairing of flowers and birds in Chinese painting, called "bird-and-flower" (huaniao) painting, has been an important and popular tradition that was practiced by professional, amateur, and court artists alike. This painting presents a pair of geese and songbirds with bamboo, camellia, and plum blossoms; this combination symbolizes prosperity and harmony.

Such themes and motifs were favored by artists active at the court during the Ming dynasty (1368–1644). Since the focus of these types of painting is on content rather than personal expression, the brushwork is detailed and the colors very bright.