Just as Florida is known as the Land of flowers, China has a long-standing cultural tradition of celebrating its abundant floral beauty. For thousands of years, flowers have been a central motif in Chinese art, admired not only for their aesthetic charm but also for their deep symbolic meanings. Artists across generations have used floral imagery to convey emotions, philosophical ideas, and cultural values.

This exhibition — the first in a two-part series — presents a selection of paintings created by prominent Chinese artists from the 17th to 19th centuries. Each work demonstrates the stylistic diversity that characterizes Chinese floral painting, from highly detailed and realistic compositions to those that favor expressive, abstract forms. Together, they offer a rich visual narrative that spans several dynasties and artistic schools.

More than mere decorative subjects, flowers in Chinese art are vehicles of meaning. Lotus flowers, peonies, plum blossoms, and orchids often symbolize virtues such as purity, nobility, perseverance, and humility. By exploring these works, visitors are invited to reflect on the cultural depth and spiritual resonance of floral imagery within the broader context of Chinese history and artistic practice.