Lotus

Zhang Daqian, 1899–1983

Zhang Daqian emerged as an acclaimed painter during the first half of the twentieth century– tumultuous and war-stricken years when China was striving to become a modern nation. Schooled in traditional ink painting, the artist adapted his style to modern sensibilities and was inspired by the work of abstract expressionists in the West. 

Zhang is most noted for the "splashed-ink-and-color" painting style that he did not develop until nearly 60 years of age. The lotus flower was one of his favorite subjects. Here the leaves come to life as bold, spontaneous splashes of ink, and the crisply delineated stems slice dynamically through the composition.