Qian Du was born to a wealthy family in Hangzhou. He was also known as Shumei and by sobriquets such as Songhu Yishi and Songhu Xiaoyin which appears in the seals and inscription on this painting. Besides landscape paintings, largely modelled after Wen Zhengming (1470-1559), Qian Du was also known for his paintings of plum blossoms and figures. This plum blossom is executed by Qian Du in the style of Wang Mian of the Yuan dynasty (1260-1368). In this painting, Qian Du pays tribute to the famous poet and ink blossom painter, Wang Mian (1287-1359). The strong composition in the structure of the branches and the union between poetry, calligraphy and painting is reminiscent of Wang Mian.
