Wealth and Honor of the Jade Hall《玉堂富贵图轴》

Yun Bing (dates unknown)
Yun Bing, active during the Yongzheng and Qianlong periods, courtesy name Qingyu, pseudonym Haoru, and alternative pseudonym Lanling Nushi, was from Wujin (present-day Changzhou), Jiangsu. She was the second daughter of the scholar Yun Zhonglong and the great-granddaughter of Yun Nantian. Growing up in an artistic family, she began painting from a young age. By the age of thirteen, she could paint flowers and birds using the “boneless” technique, effectively inheriting the Yun family style.

“Wealth and Honor of the Jade Hall”
Yun Bing’s “boneless” meticulous paintings are characterized by their elegance and finesse, particularly excelling in the use of powder. The paintings are exquisitely beautiful, showcasing the utmost in graceful charm. Early in the Qianlong reign, the Governor of the Two Jiang Provinces presented Yun Bing’s painting to the Empress Dowager, and the Qianlong Emperor praised it in verse, bringing her instant fame. For a female painter to receive such honors was very rare, indicating Yun Bing’s high level of skill and reflecting the acceptance of the Nantian painting style at the time. This painting features white magnolias and pink peonies, with full, rich blooms exuding luxury and elegance. The flowers, branches, and leaves all sway gracefully. The brushwork is delicate and beautiful, the colors are bright and elegant, and the use of powder is superb, making the flowers appear to shimmer in the sunlight. This work is a representative masterpiece by Yun Bing. The inscription reads: “Inspired by Northern Song artist Xu Chongsi’s coloring, Lanling Woman Yun Bing.” The seals include “Seal of Yun Bing Nushi” in white and “Qingyu” in red.

恽冰，生卒年不详，主要活动于雍正、乾隆时期，字清於，号浩如，别号兰陵女史，江苏武进（今常州）人。诸生恽钟嶐次女，恽南田族玄孙女。由于家学渊源，她从小习画，十三岁即能作花卉翎毛，以没骨法见长，能传南田家法。

恽冰的没骨工笔画，笔致秀雅，最善于用粉，画面精细秀丽，极尽妍态。乾隆初，两江总督以恽冰画进呈太后，乾隆帝题诗嘉奖，名噪一时。女画家能获此殊荣，是非常难得之事，既说明恽冰绘画水平确实很高，又侧面反映了南田画风在当时的接受程度。此图绘白色玉兰与粉色牡丹，花形饱满，富贵雍容，花、枝、叶均摇曳生姿。用笔细腻秀美，敷色清艳，用粉精绝，观之似映照日光，花朵灿灼，为恽冰代表作。款署：“抚北宋徐崇嗣点色，兰陵女子恽冰。”钤白文“恽冰女史”、朱文“清於”二印。