Antique Chinese Gouache of Three Women Paddling on Lotus Pond

A serene scene of 3 elegantly attired young Chinese women paddling across a lotus pond with blossoming steep banks on their rights and marshy flora on their lefts.

Signed and dated: Zhang Zuchun, Autumn 1897, together with artist seals in red, and poetic inscription which reads as follows:

At dusk, paddling through the lotus pond,
They pause and quietly listen to the zither.
From afar, faint songs and verses are heard,
And suddenly, a subtle fragrance arises.
Guangxu, Dingyou year (1897), by Li Guo
Casually painted
By Xiusheng (courtesy name), Zhang Zuchun
(Guangxu) refers to the Guangxu Emperor, who reigned from 1875-1908. (Dongyou) is a cyclical year, which in Guangxu’s reign would be 1897. 

Dimensions (inches)
Width: 29 1/2
Height: 22 1/4

Condition
Very Good