Hydrangea Flowers (繡球)

Pure white hydrangea blossoms, layered petal upon petal like carved jade, stand against light green leaves with finely visible veins. The inscription 'Jade Delicate' (玉玲瓏) captures the flowers' translucent quality, while the colophon recalls the artist's personal history with hydrangeas, from student days visiting temples in Chang'an to later years in Hanzhong where several bushes grew outside his residence. The personal narrative elevates the painting from botanical study to memoir.