Bamboo branches by Wang Zhubu Tom Sharp

1. A painting is a thing of interest in itself, not because of what it depicts. To insist on an accurate resemblance would be letting poets report only what they hear. Painters aren’t making birds or flowers, but something elegant that makes us think. It’s hard to believe a touch of red can say so much about springtime. 2. Wang Zhubu painted two broken bamboo branches like Buddhist hermits, hermit blossoms like two young girls. Two finches shake rain from their feathers, perched on a branch with cherry blossoms. When they fly off, rain showers from the branches. Bees hover with pollen on their legs. When you observe closely, the value comes naturally. The effect of the art isn’t on the paper or in words that disappear in the air.

书鄢陵王主簿所画折枝二首 苏轼

一 论画以形似，见与儿童邻。 赋诗必此诗，定非知诗人。 诗画本一律，天工与清新。 边鸾雀写生，赵昌花传神。 何如此两幅，疏澹含精匀。 谁言一点红，解寄无边春。 二 瘦竹如幽人，幽花如处女。 低昂枝上雀，摇荡花间雨。 双翎决将起，众叶纷自举。 可怜采花蜂，清蜜寄两股。 若人富天巧，春色入毫楮。 悬知君能诗，寄声求妙语。