Ma Lin    Southern Sung Dynasty

Album leaf, ink and colors on silk

Original: Dimensions: 24.9X24.6 cm.

Bamboo and plum hang over a stream and are reflected on its surface. The refined composition brings forth a mood of exquisite gracefulness. The painting is not signed, and is gathered into "The Album Leaf Paintings Throughout Dynasties."

Ma Lin (fl. 1240), a native of Ch'ien-t'ang, Chekiang, the son of Ma Yuan and carried on the family tradition as a painter in the Academy, attaining the rank of chih-hou. He was equally skilled in painting landscapes and flowers.

Collectors' seals include that of "I Ch'in Wang Pao" and eight seals from Keng Chao-chung (1640-1686). The painting is referred to in Shih-ch'U pao-chi hsu-pien (p.1684) and Ku-kung shu-hua lu (ch. 6, p. 195).