Peony 1823 - 1857

Ren Xiong's Peony is an ink and color on paper fan painting, currently residing in the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The composition arranges a pink peony and bristling thistle within a rough, asymmetrical container, presented on the fan's textured surface. The color palette is subtle, with muted greens, browns, and pinks creating a gentle, almost melancholic visual experience. The arrangement destabilizes traditional notions of harmony and beauty. The peony, a symbol of wealth and honor, is juxtaposed with the thistle, representing resilience and even defiance. This contrast invites us to question fixed meanings and values. Ren Xiong masterfully employs the fan shape, not merely as a canvas, but as a structural element that enhances the painting's dynamism. The gentle curve subtly frames the tension between the delicate bloom and the prickly plant, inviting ongoing interpretation.