Prunus in flower and bamboo 1707

"Prunus in Flower and Bamboo" is a Chinese ink-and-wash painting executed by Shitao in 1707, the year of his death. The painting, rendered in the style of the literati, depicts a single stalk of bamboo and a blossoming plum branch in loose and evocative strokes. Shitao's calligraphic style and emphasis on naturalism reflect the values of the scholar-artist in the Qing dynasty. This work highlights the artist's unique "wild" style of painting, as seen in the spontaneous brushwork and free-flowing composition.