Cold Fragrance and Quiet Birds

Artist: Lü Ji (Ming dynasty, active in the late 15th and early 16th centuries)

Medium: Hanging scroll, ink and color on silk

Collection: Shanghai Museum

This painting depicts a tranquil corner of nature, with two plum branches, a rocky cliff, a slender stream, bamboo and several birds. Its title, Cold Fragrance and Quiet Birds, evokes both the delicate fragrance of plum blossoms in winter and the serene atmosphere of birds resting among the branches.

Lü Ji was a renowned Ming-dynasty court painter, best known for his bird-and-flower paintings. Combining keen observation with meticulous brushwork, he created works that are both elegant and full of life. In this painting, the rocks are rendered with bold, vigorous strokes, while the plum blossoms are depicted with delicate dots. The twisting branches convey a sense of age and strength, and a clear stream winds quietly through the scene.

Birds are at the heart of this composition. They appear in pairs, each with its own distinctive posture. In the foreground, two doves rest side by side: one turns its head as if looking back, while the other lowers its head to preen its feathers. Above them, a pair of waxbills perch close together, appearing relaxed and at ease. Their poses are natural yet carefully composed.

In Chinese painting, plum blossoms often symbolize resilience, as they bloom even in the depths of winter. Birds depicted in pairs, meanwhile, often symbolize harmony, companionship and good fortune.