Summer lotus

Known as the flower of summer in China, the lotus is a symbol of purity because the flower emerges from the mud unstained. It represents the “incorruptible” official and is regarded as the “gentleman among flowers.” With the traditional “boneless” method that applies color washes instead of ink outlines, Yun Shouping depicts the lotus in this elaborate and sophisticated way to capture both its beauty and grace in varying stages of blossoming. In the accompanying inscription, he describes the atmosphere and aroma with a set of sensory clues that further enliven the depiction:
A fragrant breeze seems to rise from the inky pond,
While dawn clouds still enclose a half-opened stem.
The morning dew dampens the red petals, scattering golden powder.
As the night passes, a light fragrance comes with the coolness.
—Wuzhen year (1688), beginning of summer, in the style of the Northern Song artist Xu Chongsi.
[Signed] The White Cloud Stream Fisherman, Shouping