Once bright and rich, the peony flower now fades gently, but this does not detract from its irresistible charm. Soft shades of pink reflect the last breath of beauty that this flower has left. While its edges fade to light pink, the center of the peony turns into a pastel yellow, almost white shade in which the heart of the flower glows a warm yellow. Despite the fact that the peony is at the stage of withering, its beauty is still attractive and capable of causing delight. This portrait of a peony captures a unique moment in its beautiful evolution, when it is still in bloom but beginning to move into its next phase. Every line and every shadow in this painting emphasizes the uniqueness and transience of the beauty of nature.