22.5 cm (vertical) × 18 cm (horizontal)

 

Most of the poems inscribed by Emperor Kangxi were derived from object-chanting poetry of the Song and Ming dynasties. The fourth, seventh, and tenth leaves feature poems written by Emperor Kangxi, centering on northern flowers such as garden nasturtium and China aster as well as southern flowers such as azaleas transplanted to the court. The text of these poems subtly incorporates words such as “Man” and “Qing,” and the poems often personify flowers, likely with the intention of praising the virtuous character of civilian court officials through the metaphor of flowers. This album gathers flowers from both northern and southern regions, symbolizing that they are all part of the Qing Empire’s natural resources regardless of whether they are newly discovered northern flowers or southern ones deeply imbued with Han cultural significance.