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南宋馬和之詩經小雅鴻雁之什六篇圖卷|Courtly Odes, Beginning with "Wild Geese" is held by Metropolitan Museum of Art.

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南宋馬和之詩經小雅鴻雁之什六篇圖卷|Courtly Odes, Beginning with "Wild Geese" is associated with Song dynasty painting.

Artwork

南宋馬和之詩經小雅鴻雁之什六篇圖卷|Courtly Odes, Beginning with "Wild Geese"

南宋馬和之詩經小雅鴻雁之什六篇圖卷|Courtly Odes, Beginning with "Wild Geese" is an ink painting by the Song dynasty painting artist Ma Hezhi. It dates from 1150 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

Ma Hezhi created this handscroll, titled Courtly Odes, Beginning with "Wild Geese", around 1150.

Ma Hezhi created this handscroll, titled Courtly Odes, Beginning with "Wild Geese", around 1150. Executed in ink and color on silk, the work unfolds in six distinct sections. It illustrates selections from the Classic of Poetry, specifically the "Minor Odes" (Xiaoya), presenting a visual interpretation of ancient verses through depictions of natural landscapes and human figures, such as wild geese and horses.

Subject & Meaning

This handscroll functions as a visual anthology, translating ancient poetic narratives into painted form. Across its length, viewers encounter diverse scenes: figures on horseback, geese in flight, scholars engaged in study beneath trees, and rivers traversing atmospheric, mist-shrouded hills. These vignettes serve to illustrate the lyrical content of the Classic of Poetry, offering a contemplative visual companion to the imperial patron.

Technique & Style

Ma Hezhi employed a distinctive aesthetic characterized by a delicate palette of pale inks and muted colors. This approach, reminiscent of watercolor, was deliberately chosen to complement the serene and introspective mood of the ancient poems. The artist's brushwork is notably light and subtle, creating an ethereal quality where forms appear soft-edged and transient, evoking a sense of quiet contemplation and fleeting beauty.

Context

This scroll was commissioned for imperial viewing, serving as a sophisticated "picture-book" intended to accompany and illuminate classical poetry for the emperor. Such works were highly valued in the Southern Song court, reflecting a cultivated appreciation for both literary tradition and artistic interpretation. They provided a private, contemplative experience, merging poetic verse with visual artistry in a format designed for intimate engagement.