Lotus and Dragonfly 1953

Here we see Qi Baishi's ink drawing of a lotus and dragonfly; a composition brought to life through the dance of brush and ink. I can imagine him, eyes narrowed in concentration, poised, before committing each definitive mark to paper. Look at how the dragonfly's wings, rendered with the finest, translucent lines, hover weightlessly over the lotus. It gives the whole composition such energy! The lotus seed pod itself, a dark, almost gothic structure, contrasts with the light touch of the dragonfly, creating a wonderful tension. The artist has captured a fleeting moment of the natural world, and in doing so, invites us to contemplate our place in the world. Think of other artists who have used nature to meditate on the ephemeral—Monet, for instance. Qi Baishi’s art is part of this great, ongoing conversation. It seems to ask: how do we, as artists, distil and preserve the essence of life?