LU JI (ATTRIBUTED TO, CIRCA 1475-1503)

This intricately composed and luxuriously detailed painting has the air of grandeur often seen in Lu Ji's oeuvre, although there is no inscription to confirm authorship. Active during the early Ming dynasty, Lu served as a revered artist at the Imperial court and was best known for his elegant bird-and-flower paintings amongst other genres. His works were also highly influential for many Japanese and Korean painters.