The artwork, titled “Spring Call,” was created by the artist Xu Beihong in 1938. It belongs to the ink and wash painting movement and is classified under the bird-and-flower painting genre. This traditional Chinese genre often depicts birds and flowers in intricate and delicate detail, celebrating the beauty of nature.
“Spring Call” showcases two magpies perched on the branches of a flowering tree. The use of ink and wash evokes a sense of fluidity and lightness, with the birds’ feathers and the tree branches rendered in graceful, flowing strokes. The sparse use of color, with subtle hints of red blossoms, enhances the elegance and tranquility of the scene. The composition and technique reflect the artist’s mastery of traditional Chinese painting, capturing the essence and harmony of the natural world in a serene and poetic manner.
