Li Shih-ta, Ming dynasty

Original: Hanging-scroll, Ink and colours on paper, 115.2cm x 41cm

Signed and inscribed by the painter, three seals

Collector's seals: three Ch'ien-lung chien-ts'ang seals

Li Shih-ta, sobriquet Yang-huai, was a native of Wu-hsien in Kiangsu. He obtained his chin-shih degree in 1574 and his latest known work was painted in 1620. He was well known as a good painter of landscapes and figures. He was the author of a book of connoisseurship entitled Wu Mei Wu 0.

The artist's inscription reads: "in June of 1606 I was by the pool of Mr. Chiu Mang, when I saw two lotus blossoms opening on one stalk. Their colours and attitude were so graceful that they made an irresistible sight. Although I am not really a flower painter, I painted this to remind me of their beatify."