Fourth of Ten Leaves from the Album of Ink Plum Blossoms (墨梅冊十開之四)

This painting is one of the ten leaves from Wang Yi’s 'Album of Ink Plum Blossoms'. It depicts slanting plum branches in ink, with rugged trunks and clearly articulated joints. The blossoms are arranged in a rhythm of density and sparsity, with fluid transitions between light and dark tones. Standing upright on the cold branches, the plum blossoms exude a spirit of integrity and resilience, embodying noble character and strength. The inscription quotes a verse by Yuan dynasty poet Cheng Jufu: “Upon opening the scroll, I see a slanting branch; escaping Zen is not to be hoped for.” The lines express a sense of surprise and emotion upon encountering plum blossoms in a painting, conveying a yearning for reclusion and a detachment from worldly concerns. The artist skillfully captures this sentiment with expressive brushwork, extending the poetic idea through painting. Poetry, calligraphy, and painting are seamlessly integrated, creating an atmosphere of refined elegance. The composition is open and ethereal, the style classical and serene—akin to a scholar’s reflection rendered in brush and ink. It is both a depiction of nature and an expression of inner thought, blending the graceful charm of plum blossoms with poetic depth, showcasing profound cultural cultivation and artistic sensibility.