Layered Ice Silk, Hanging Scroll, Silk, 101.7 x 49.6, Beijing Palace Museum
Ma Lin, a Southern Song Dynasty court painter, captured the delicate beauty of winter plum blossoms here, making them look as translucent as folded ice or fine silk—hence the title 'Layered Ice Silk.' The flowers are painted with such precision that they seem to glow against the aged, textured background. The calligraphy at the top is a poem by Empress Yang, who compares the blooms to 'cold butterflies' resting in a flower room. It’s a perfect blend of visual art and poetry, typical of the refined aesthetic of the Song court.
- Technique
- Ink and color on silk
- Material
- Silk
- Dimensions
- 101.7 x 49.6 cm
Location: Palace Museum, Beijing