Tall Pines and Elegant Orchids《高松幽兰图轴》

Hu Shikun, also known as Yuanqing, was a renowned painter of landscapes and orchids during the late Ming and early Qing dynasties. Although the details of his birth and death remain unknown, it is believed that he was born in Shangyuan, which is presently known as Nanjing, Jiangsu Province.

Created in 1678, this painting exudes a serene and tranquil atmosphere with its depiction of pine trees, rocks, and orchids, all of which are expertly rendered in ink. The upper left of the painting bears the inscription “Wuwu Yangyue, Hu Shikun,” while two seals, one reading “Shikun’s Seal” and the other with the white inscription “Yuan Qing,” are found below the inscription. The painting’s lower right corner features a red seal inscribed with the words “Seal of the Yin Family’s Jiantang Family.”

胡士昆，生卒年不详，明末清初画家，字元清，上元(今江苏南京)人。善画山水，尤擅画兰。

此画作于1678年，整图用墨笔绘以松树、山石、兰草，意境悠然。左上题款为“戊午阳月，胡士昆。” 款下钤白文“士昆之印”、白文“元清”二印。画右下角钤朱文“尹氏简堂家藏之章”印。