LIN Fengmian (Lin Fongmin) (1900-1991) Lotus Ink and gouache on Xuan paper. Signed lower right with artist's stamp. 66 x 68 cm Framed under glass. Provenance: Acquired directly from the artist in China in the 1950s and kept in the same family ever since. The type of paper used by Lin Fengmian during the war, when he couldn't paint on canvas, was called 宣紙 (xuān zhǐ), also known as xuan paper. It's a fine, absorbent paper made from mulberry fibers, traditionally used for Chinese calligraphy and painting. Xuanzhi is prized for its resistance to ink and its ability to capture the subtle nuances of brushstrokes. Its smooth, uniform surface was ideal for Lin Fengmian's style of painting, which emphasized fluid lines and soft colors. Moreover, xuanzhi was relatively inexpensive and easy to find, making it a practical choice for Lin Fengmian during the wartime period of economic hardship.