Mynah

This piece is one of a few paintings with the artist’s inscription expressing his approval of the work. As indicated by the title in Chinese (“free and unfettered in the wild”), a sure-footed bird stretches nimble legs on a wet, green field. Typical of the master’s technique, washes burst among shadows on the bird’s body, and sharp strokes exaggerate the size of the claws. A few green touches suggest the rain of early summer.

The artist’s inscription reads:

Consider this to be a good work
Shao-an, the fifth month in summer of the Renyin year [1962]