Blossoming Plum Branch

Executed in plain black ink on paper, this monochromatic painting in vertical hanging scroll format depicts a delicate branch of blossoming plum. Dotted with clusters of flowers and buds, the main branch rises gracefully in a reverse s-curve from an old broken trunk, which appears only in partial view at the lower right corner of the composition. To the right of the main branch, two new, completely straight, nearly flowerless branches sprout vertically from the old trunk as perfect parallel lines, in stark contrast to the curving branch of blossoms. A signature and seal, purportedly by the artist, appear at the lower left corner.