但有别于同期菊石,此幅构图颇有巧思,又以书斋清供为主题,将菊置于瓶中,在野逸中注入文人庄重典雅氛围。构图上,葫芦形瓶长颈窄口,修长菊茎、花头低垂,与旁置假山石相互呼应,构成椭圆环形的视觉结构。瓶花高耸,石块压角,刚柔相生,平衡之中见生动;左侧题跋既填补了画面空隙,又使画面在动态中达成和谐,布局奇险而稳重。就主题而言,清供不在华艳,而在气格高洁。瓶中无多花,仅菊独秀,石不奇崛,却与花形成环抱之势,有孤芳自赏而不离群伦之感,这正与其晚年心境相映照,此时的吴昌硕虽儿孙绕膝,但友朋凋零(如任伯年、沈曾植等相继下世),于孤寂之中寄情笔墨,故画面澹然之中仍内蕴生机。 WU CHANGSHUO FLOWER AND ROCK Ink and color on paper, mounted Dated 1926 Literature: Chronicle of Wu Changshuo's Calligraphy, Paintings and Seal Carvings, p. 812, Zhejiang Ancient Books Publishing House, 2014 136.5×34cm RMB: 800,000-1,200,000