# Orchids

**Ma Lin** (Chinese, ca. 1180– after 1256)  
second quarter of the 13th century  
Album leaf; ink and color on silk  
Image: 10 7/16 x 8 7/8 in. (26.5 x 22.5 cm)

Courtesy of The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 1973.120.10. [The museum's record](https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/40133).

## About this work

Ma Lin painted this in the second quarter of the 13th century, aged about 46. It is now at The Met in New York.

### How it was made

- **Album leaf.** A page from an album, meant to be held and looked at closely, one opening at a time.
- **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: Paintings
- Culture: China
- The artist was about 46
- Real size: about 14 × 12 in (37 × 31 cm). The 11 × 14 in print is close to life size.
- Century: 13th century
- Movement: [Chinese painting](https://www.ochreeditions.com/movements/chinese-painting)
- Subjects: Orchids
- 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/906.jpg?dl=1
- Image: https://img.ochreeditions.com/a/906/1920.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; 24 × 36 in $108
- 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; 24 × 36 in $258
- Canvas reproduction: 8 × 10 in $58; 11 × 14 in $72; 12 × 16 in $79; 16 × 20 in $98; 18 × 24 in $118; 20 × 30 in $148
- 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; 24 × 36 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/orchids-met-40133).