Lang Shih-ning (Giuseppe Castiglion. A.D. 1688-1766) was born at Milan, Italy. At nineteen, he entered the Jesuit order and studied painting and architecture. He came to China in 1715 as a missionary, and received a post in the Academy of Art at the Manchu court, where he was known by his Chinese name, Lang Shih-ning. As a painter, he was noted for his picture of human figures, flowers, birds, and especially, horses. When he first started, it was his intention to introduce into China the techniques of Western painting, but he received no encouragement. On the contrary, he was advised to study Chinese art. This he did, and gradually created a style of painting close to the Chinese style. His ability to draw from life excelled his Chinese colleagues, yet as Chinese artists lay stress on artistic ideals and poetic flavor rather than on realism, Lang's masterpieces did little to alter the course of the development of Chinese art.

A pair of colorful pheasants are standing on a rock. The colorful birds, floating stream, and the blooming blossoms all symbolize the coming of spring.  

The picture bears the artist's signature and seals.