Orchid Amid Thorns

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Handscroll; Ink on paper; 514cm(width)*22cm(height)In the artist’s own words, this painting is “full of gentlemen,” with orchids, bamboo, and stone expressing the elegance and vivacity of the scene. The leaves of the orchid are lush, and the flowers are in bloom. The flowers have a sense of order to them. Although they are abundant, they do not look cluttered. The denseness of the white ink is appropriate for the brush, reflecting the artist’s ability to control both. Zheng likens the orchids to a gentleman, while the thorns represent a villain. At the same time, his fondness for bamboo is evident, hinting that he is different from others. Among the corrupt bureaucrats, he was compelled to express what is superficial, but could not reveal his deeper feelings.