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."
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