Pine, Plum, and Immortals《松梅芝仙图轴》

Qian Weicheng (1720–1772)
Qian Weicheng, originally named Xinlai, courtesy name Zongpan, and later Jiahui and Chashan, was from Wujin (present-day Changzhou), Jiangsu. He was a top scholar in the tenth year of Qianlong (1745) and served in the Southern Study, becoming a close aide to the emperor. Renowned for his poetry, calligraphy, and painting, his style catered to the emperor’s taste, establishing him as an “official painter.” As an official, he served in high positions, fulfilling his duties excellently. Qian Weicheng passed away at home while mourning his father in the 37th year of Qianlong (1772), aged 53, and was posthumously honored with the title “Wenmin,” a rare distinction shared by masters Zhao Mengfu and Dong Qichang.

“Pine, Plum, and Immortals”
This painting is executed with fine brushwork, inscribed in small regular script “Respectfully painted by Qian Weicheng, the subject.” The painting combines pine, plum, daffodil, orchid, lingzhi mushroom, and bamboo in a lively and elegant arrangement, exuding an ethereal and refined air. The composition is dignified and dynamic, with delicate and elegant colors, reflecting the courtly aesthetics merged with literati taste. These plants symbolize longevity, integrity, and auspiciousness, making them common themes in Chinese painting. The upper right corner bears the imperial seal “Qianlong Yulan Zhi Bao,” confirming it was painted for Emperor Qianlong and was once part of the Qing imperial collection.

钱维城（1720—1772），初名辛来，字宗磐，一字稼轩，晚号茶山，武进（今江苏常州）人。乾隆十年（1745）状元，十三年（1748）任职南书房，成为皇帝身边的近臣。因他又长于诗文、书法绘画，风格迎合了皇帝的口味，故成为一名“词臣画家”。词臣画家的身份是文官，他们不但有较强的行政能力，而且充当起皇帝日常的文学艺术侍从，满足了皇帝的文化需求。钱维城后来曾任工部、刑部侍郎及学政等要职，充实刑法、处置科考舞弊案，出色地完成了为官的使命。乾隆三十七年（1772），他奔父丧病卒于家中，享年53岁，赐谥“文敏”。这个谥号可谓极得殊荣，历史上书画宗师赵孟頫、董其昌均被赐以此谥号。

此《松梅芝仙图》全图用细笔绘成，款为小楷书“臣钱维城恭画”。图中松树、梅花、水仙、兰花、灵芝、竹子生动地穿插组合在一起，显得清气四溢，再配以幽涧流水，境界空灵。整幅画构图端庄，工细活泼，敷色淡雅，一派宫廷清丽富贵的气象，是钱维城将宫廷审美趣味与文人意趣相融合的佳作。这些植物在中国绘画中寓意着吉祥长寿及坚贞的气节，长期以来都是最常见的绘画题材之一。右上角盖有“乾隆御览之宝”之印，虽无皇帝题字，亦可确认是钱维城为乾隆皇帝所绘，曾被皇帝所鉴赏，是清宫旧藏之物。