{"product_id":"desk-album-flower-and-bird-paintings-preening-bird-zhang-ruoai","title":"Desk Album: Flower and Bird Paintings (Preening Bird) - Zhang Ruoai","description":"\u003cp\u003eA delicate bird-and-flower painting by Qing Dynasty artist Zhang Ruoai, featuring a bird preening on a flowering branch.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis work originates from a desk album by Zhang Ruoai, a scholar-official active during the Qing Dynasty. The composition follows the traditional bird-and-flower genre, which prioritises the observation of nature through a refined, meticulous lens. The artist employs a balanced arrangement, placing the bird on a central branch that extends from the left side of the frame. The bird is captured in a moment of quiet grooming, its head tucked towards its wing, which allows the viewer to observe the subtle gradation of colour in its plumage.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe botanical elements, featuring clusters of white blossoms and deep green leaves, are rendered with precision. The ink work defines the structure of the branches, while the application of mineral pigments provides the colour for the foliage and the bird. The background remains neutral, a characteristic choice in album leaf painting that directs attention to the subject matter without distraction. The use of silk as a medium allows for a smooth surface, enabling the artist to execute fine details in the feathers and the delicate petals of the flowers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eZhang Ruoai was known for his technical skill and his adherence to the aesthetic standards of the imperial court. His approach to this subject reflects a disciplined study of form and movement. The work is not merely a decorative piece, but a demonstration of the artist's ability to synthesise observation with established stylistic conventions. The composition is contained within the format of an album leaf, intended for intimate viewing rather than public display. This print captures the original texture and tonal range of the silk, preserving the clarity of the brushwork and the soft transitions of the colour palette.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"margin-top:2rem;padding-top:1.5rem;border-top:1px solid #e5e5e5;\"\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-size:0.85rem;color:#888;font-weight:600;margin:0 0 0.75rem;text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:0.05em;\"\u003eYou might also like\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"display:flex;flex-wrap:wrap;gap:0.5rem;\"\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/de\/products\/memory-of-a-voyage-rene-magritte\" style=\"display:inline-block;background:#f8f9fa;border:1px solid #e5e5e5;border-radius:20px;padding:0.35rem 0.85rem;font-size:0.8rem;color:#2a555a;font-weight:500;text-decoration:none !important;background-image:none !important;\"\u003eMemory of a Voyage - René Magritte — René Magritte\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/de\/products\/birds-gather-under-the-spring-willow-yin-hong\" style=\"display:inline-block;background:#f8f9fa;border:1px solid #e5e5e5;border-radius:20px;padding:0.35rem 0.85rem;font-size:0.8rem;color:#2a555a;font-weight:500;text-decoration:none !important;background-image:none !important;\"\u003eBirds Gather under the Spring Willow - Yin Hong — Yin Hong\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Zhang Ruoai","offers":[{"title":"Fine Art Poster \/ A4 (21x29.7 cm) \/ -","offer_id":58982062358863,"sku":null,"price":28.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Poster \/ A3 (29.7 x 42  cm) \/ -","offer_id":58982075662671,"sku":null,"price":35.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Poster \/ A2 (42 x 59.4  cm) \/ -","offer_id":58982075695439,"sku":null,"price":45.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A4 (21x29.7 cm) \/ Black frame","offer_id":58982075728207,"sku":null,"price":45.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A4 (21x29.7 cm) \/ Wood frame","offer_id":58982075760975,"sku":null,"price":45.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A4 (21x29.7 cm) \/ Dark wood frame","offer_id":58982075793743,"sku":null,"price":45.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A3 (29.7 x 42  cm) \/ Black frame","offer_id":58982075826511,"sku":null,"price":60.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A3 (29.7 x 42  cm) \/ Wood frame","offer_id":58982075859279,"sku":null,"price":60.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A3 (29.7 x 42  cm) \/ Dark wood frame","offer_id":58982075892047,"sku":null,"price":60.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A2 (42 x 59.4  cm) \/ Black frame","offer_id":58982075924815,"sku":null,"price":90.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A2 (42 x 59.4  cm) \/ Wood frame","offer_id":58982075957583,"sku":null,"price":90.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A2 (42 x 59.4  cm) \/ Dark wood frame","offer_id":58982075990351,"sku":null,"price":90.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0833\/9292\/1935\/files\/Desk-Album_-Flower-and-Bird-Paintings-Preening-Bird-_Poster_CompositorV1_1790907900188.jpg?v=1790908246","url":"https:\/\/www.solisprints.co.uk\/de\/products\/desk-album-flower-and-bird-paintings-preening-bird-zhang-ruoai","provider":"Solis Prints","version":"1.0","type":"link"}