Bird and Flower c. 18th century

"Bird and Flower" is a hanging scroll created by Chinese artist Zhang Yu (1734-1803) in the 18th century. The artwork, now housed in the Minneapolis Institute of Art, depicts a stylized bird perched on a branch of a flowering tree, executed in a minimalist, brushstroke-focused style that is characteristic of Chinese ink painting. The scroll features a series of vertical calligraphic characters in the right side of the scroll, adding another layer of beauty and meaning to the work. This ink painting is a testament to the artist's mastery of the brush and ink medium.