Orchids and Grass《兰芝图轴》

Ma Yuanyu (1669–1722)
Ma Yuanyu, also known as Fuxi and Tianyushanren, hailed from Changshu, Jiangsu Province. Renowned for his mastery of flower-and-bird painting, Ma inherited the Yun Shouping tradition and developed a distinctive style characterized by lively brushwork, elegance, and simplicity. His boneless technique, emphasizing soft and fluid forms, became a hallmark of his work, earning him a respected place among the Yun School’s successors who carved their own artistic identities.

“Orchids and Grass” (1705)
This painting exemplifies Ma Yuanyu’s innovative approach, employing ganoderma and orchids—customarily secondary elements—as the central focus, lending the piece a fresh and unconventional charm. Derived from careful observation of nature, the ganoderma and orchid grass exude an elegant refinement, reflecting the understated beauty and lyrical spirit of the Nantian style.

The inscription, written in the second month of spring during the Yiyou year, reads:
“Orchids grow in the east stream, and the grass on the south cliff is beautiful. The Taoist came from the mountain and brought this to celebrate his longevity. I wish the old father Shengweng his fiftieth birthday.”

Beneath the inscription are two seals: “Yushan Ma Yuanyu Seal” and “Also known as Qixia,” along with the Zhu inscription, “Home is at the foot of Yushan Mountain.” On the left, a postscript by the poet and painter Qiao Chongxiu (1669–1744) further enriches the work’s cultural and historical significance.

This scroll not only showcases Ma’s mastery of form and composition but also his ability to imbue natural elements with poetic sentiment, making it a rare and celebrated example of his artistry.

吕纪，生于1477年，卒年不详。字廷振，号乐愚，浙江宁波人。官至锦衣卫指挥。擅画花鸟，近学边景昭，远师南宋院体。常绘凤凰、仙鹤、孔雀、鸳鸯之类，杂以花树，古艳夺目，工笔勾勒与水墨写意俱能。与林良齐名天下。为明代院体花鸟画派代表作家之一。
 此画禽鸟花草，精巧生动，绚丽多姿；树石、溪水衬景，笔爽墨润，尤禽鸟以工笔重彩，描绘精细。全画工整浓艳，神采耀目。画右上装裱处有收藏家张昌伯题，“明吕纪《幽禽图》，神品，昌伯珍藏。”钤白文“正孝之印”，朱文“张氏昌伯”二印。