Student Artwork Guide
Copyright This work is in the public domain. Ma Lin died in 1256; copyright lasts 70 years after the artist’s death, so it ended in 1326.
In context
Untitled (D2X89S) — Ma Lin
The original measures 27 × 23 cm (height × width), drawn here beside an adult of average height.
Shaded: the lifetime of Ma Lin (1180–1256) ▲ this work, 1201
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Measured from the image
Main colour
Driftwood #a37646
Catalogued palette
Artist and museum
Born in Baoding, China
ma lin, a prominent chinese court painter, flourished during the early to mid 13th century (c. 1180 - 1256). as the son of the renowned artist ma yuan, ma lin was immersed in the art world from a young age, learning the intricacies of painting from his illustrious father.
ma lin's artistic style is characterized by the 'boneless' technique, which involves applying ink and color washes directly to silk without outlines or preliminary sketches. this approach allows for a more fluid and expressive style, particularly suited to capturing natural scenes and figures in motion. one of his most celebrated works is night outing with candles, a captivating depiction of a gentleman surrounded by flowering crab apple trees, illuminated by tall candles. this piece not only showcases ma lin's mastery of the 'boneless' technique but also demonstrates his ability to evoke a sense of serenity and beauty.
ma lin's work is highly regarded for its elegance, sensitivity to light and atmosphere, and masterful use of color. as one of the greatest painters of the song dynasty, his art continues to inspire artists and art enthusiasts alike.
key artistic contributions:
perfected the 'boneless' painting technique
captured the subtleties of light and atmosphere in his works
contributed to the development of chinese court painting during the song dynasty
notable artworks:
night outing with candles
other notable works, such as handscroll, can be found in the collection of the metropolitan museum of art (new york city, united states)
museums and collections:
the metropolitan museum of art (new york city, united states)
china modern and contemporary art document research center (beijing, china)
for a deeper dive into ma lin's art and the context of chinese court painting during the song dynasty, explore these resources:
the ilkhanid art movement - understand the broader artistic landscape of the time.
zhao mengfu's riders leading a white horse - discover another notable artist from the same period.
tenshō shūbun's mountain landscape - appreciate the influence of chinese art on japanese painters.
ma lin's enigmatic yet captivating artworks continue to enthrall art lovers worldwide. through his masterful use of the 'boneless' technique and sensitivity to light, he has left an indelible mark on the history of chinese court painting during the song dynasty.
artsdot.com/en/art/download/ma-lin-untitled-d2x89s-D2X89S-en/
Look closely
Untitled (D2X89S) — Ma Lin
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