Lay Down and Travel 

"Lay Down and Travel" is a delicate ink and color painting by the renowned Chinese artist Shen Zhou (1427-1509). The painting depicts a single pomegranate fruit hanging from a branch, a simple yet powerful image that is characteristic of the "literati" style of painting popular in 15th century China. The subtle washes of color and the calligraphic lines evoke a sense of quiet contemplation and natural beauty, highlighting the artist's mastery of brushwork and artistic restraint. Shen Zhou's inscription on the painting, which reads "The pomegranate is split open, revealing its many seeds; one look at it and you know that time passes but life continues," adds a philosophical dimension to the work, suggesting a meditation on the passage of time and the cycles of nature.