Professor CSA Print Yi Ming 049 Yi Ming

The composition presents a wintry landscape rendered in muted earth tones and punctuated by delicate ink washes. A prominent bare tree dominates the left side of the scene, its branches reaching upwards against a hazy sky. The trunk is substantial, rooted firmly within the foreground, suggesting resilience despite the harshness of the season.
Below the tree, two birds are depicted – one standing near the waters edge and another further into the distance. Their presence introduces an element of life and movement to what would otherwise be a static scene. The water itself is rendered with subtle gradations of color, reflecting the overcast sky and creating a sense of depth.
In the background, faint indications of distant hills or structures are visible through the atmospheric perspective, contributing to the overall feeling of vastness and solitude. The artist employed a restrained palette; browns, ochres, and grays prevail, with touches of pale blue in the upper portion of the composition. This limited color range reinforces the somber mood associated with winter.
The vertical format of the work draws attention to the upward reach of the tree, potentially symbolizing aspiration or perseverance. The birds could be interpreted as symbols of hope or freedom, contrasting with the starkness of the bare branches and the muted landscape.
Inscriptions are visible in both red seals and calligraphic script along the upper portion of the artwork. These elements, typical of East Asian artistic traditions, likely contain information about the artist, date, or intended meaning of the work, adding layers of cultural context to the visual experience. The overall effect is one of quiet contemplation, evoking a sense of melancholy beauty and the enduring power of nature.