Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History



  • Orchids, Southern Song dynasty (1127–1279)
    Ma Lin (Chinese, active ca. 1180–after 1256)
    Album leaf; ink and color on silk

    10 7/16 x 8 7/8 in. (26.5 x 22.5 cm)
    Signed: "Ma Lin"
    Ex coll.: C.C. Wang Family, Gift of The Dillon Fund, 1973 (1973.120.10)

    This exquisite representation of an orchid, signed by Ma Lin, son of Ma Yuan (active ca. 1190–1225), exemplifies the style of formal realism favored by the aristocratic Southern Song court. The simple asymmetrical balance of flowers and leaves, meticulously rendered in subtle shades of lavender, white, and malachite green, bespeaks a consciously aestheticizing sensibility. Such flower paintings recall late Southern Song lyric poems about flowers.

    Related

    Index Terms

    Art Movement/Style

    Artist

    • Ma Lin (Chinese, active ca. 1180–after 1256)

    Material and Technique

    Subject Matter/Theme

    Artist Biography

    Technical Glossary


    Not on view
    MoveSeparatorPrint
    Close
    Orchids, Southern Song dynasty (1127–1279)
    Ma Lin (Chinese, active ca. 1180–after 1256)
    Album leaf; ink and color on silk

    10 7/16 x 8 7/8 in. (26.5 x 22.5 cm)
    Signed: "Ma Lin"
    Ex coll.: C.C. Wang Family, Gift of The Dillon Fund, 1973 (1973.120.10)


    Move
    Close
    fullMultimediaText