Flowers and Insects
Qing dynasty (1644–1911), reign of Kangxi (1662–1722)
Medium
Handscroll; ink and color on paper
Dimensions
27.9 × 430.6 cm (169 1/2 × 10 15/16 in.)
Classification
handscroll
Department
Arts of Asia
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
80215
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
This sensitively idyllic glimpse of nature is the collaborative work of two sisters, who resided in east coastal Hangzhou. The city’s mild climate and beautiful scenery attracted generations of intellectual elite. Fostered by that cultural ambience, both sisters became renowned as poets and painters, but their painting styles were quite distinct. Whereas Chai Jingyi specialized in semi-abstract images of nature that affirmed ideals of self-expression, Chai Zhengyi was most renowned for closely o...