Long Melons 

"Long Melons" is a traditional Chinese ink and wash painting by the renowned artist Qi Baishi (1864-1957). Baishi was a master of this style, known for its minimalist and expressive brushstrokes. This artwork, showcasing a pair of long melons hanging from a vine with a bee and a grasshopper, captures the essence of nature with its simple yet elegant composition. Baishi's use of negative space emphasizes the delicate details of the melon, showcasing his exceptional skill in conveying texture and form with minimal lines. This painting embodies the spirit of "xieyi" - an artistic principle emphasizing intuitive expression and capturing the essence of the subject rather than its literal representation.