# Broad bean flowers and butterflies

**Ma Lin** (Chinese, ca. 1180– after 1256)  
15th century  
Ink and color on silk  
H x W (image): 26.9 x 125.5 cm (10 9/16 x 49 7/16 in)

Courtesy of the National Museum of Asian Art, Smithsonian Institution, F1909.236. [The museum's record](https://asia.si.edu/object/F1909.236/).

## About this work

Ma Lin painted this in 15th century. It is now at the National Museum of Asian Art in Washington, DC.

### How it was made

- **Ink and colour on silk.** Silk was sized with glue and alum so it would hold a crisp brushline, and mineral colours were built up in thin layers. The sheen of the weave still shows through.

### [Ma Lin](https://www.ochreeditions.com/artists/ma-lin)

Chinese, ca. 1180– after 1256

## Facts

- Type: Painting
- Culture: Chinese
- Real size: about 11 × 49 in (27 × 126 cm). The original is larger than our largest print, 20 × 30 in, so every print is a reduction.
- Movement: [Chinese painting](https://www.ochreeditions.com/movements/chinese-painting)
- Subjects: Animals, Insects, Flowers, Ming dynasty (1368 - 1644), Butterflies
- Colour: brown
- Rights: public domain (CC0 1.0); free to use for any purpose.

## Get it

- Free download, full resolution: https://img.ochreeditions.com/m/1790.jpg?dl=1
- Image: https://img.ochreeditions.com/a/1790/1920.jpg
- Giclée reproduction on Hahnemühle Photo Rag: 8 × 10 in $28; 11 × 14 in $38; 12 × 16 in $42; 16 × 20 in $56; 18 × 24 in $68; 20 × 30 in $86
- Framed reproduction: 8 × 10 in $78; 11 × 14 in $98; 12 × 16 in $108; 16 × 20 in $138; 18 × 24 in $164; 20 × 30 in $208
- Canvas reproduction: 8 × 10 in $58; 11 × 14 in $72; 12 × 16 in $79; 16 × 20 in $98; 18 × 24 in $118
- Print-ready file: 8 × 10 in $2; 11 × 14 in $2; 12 × 16 in $3; 16 × 20 in $3; 18 × 24 in $3; 20 × 30 in $5

Sizes stop where the museum's file would print below 150 pixels per inch. Everything sold is a reproduction, made to order. [Order a print](https://www.ochreeditions.com/art/broad-bean-flowers-and-butterflies-si-fsg-f1909-236).