The bell in the distance

This image is a black-and-white painting of a woman in an elegant, vintage setting. She is dressed in a traditional, form-fitting qipao (cheongsam) and leans slightly forward over a large decorative vase filled with flowers. The background appears to be an ornate interior—possibly a tea house, bar, or classic Chinese parlor—filled with softly blurred lights, glassware, and wooden details.

The woman’s pose and calm expression convey a sense of quiet contemplation or longing, as if she is lost in thought while gazing into the distance. The contrast between light and shadow, along with the smooth brushwork, adds a cinematic and nostalgic atmosphere, evoking themes of memory, elegance, and solitude.