Pomegranates 1927

Wu Changshuo made this ink and color painting of pomegranates sometime between the late 19th and early 20th century. It's on a fan, which is an interesting format, a cross between a canvas and an everyday object. I can imagine Wu making this, holding the fan in one hand, and with the other, using a brush loaded with ink to make these decisive marks. Look at those bold strokes defining the branches and the softer washes that bring out the texture of the fruit. I bet he was interested in calligraphy. The way the forms kind of emerge and dissolve is cool. The colors are earthy, with pops of red suggesting the juicy seeds within. It makes me think about his peers, other artists grappling with similar themes of nature and expression. It's like they were all in a conversation, pushing each other to see and feel more deeply. Painting is like that, a continuous exchange of ideas across time, inspiring creativity, and allowing for different ways of seeing.