Red and Green Plum Blossoms

The common subject of the plum blossom is rendered here in an unusual way, using two strongly contrasting colors to highlight the flowers. This approach was originated by Ye Gongchuo as “the marriage of two colors.” The inscription he wrote on the painting discusses how green plum blossoms from the southeast actually have no green petals but only a green calyx, whereas Yunnan, in the far south, does produce plums with green petals.

The composition serves to emphasize the contrast of the two flowers. The diagonal format has the pink tree stretching toward the center of the painting, while in response to it the few branches of green plum blossoms below reach out toward the pink ones from the opposite direction. Ye’s technical refinement can be seen in the fact that some of the pistils are clearly visible, hinting at the strength of his observation and sensitivity.

Ye, from a prominent family, was one of the most successful scholar-officials, writers, and art collectors of the early Republic period (1912– ), when he worked for the government.