Zheng Sixiao (1245-1318) was an official in the city of Suzhou when it surrendered. Thereafter he lived with the other disenfranchised scholars in the city, sharing their hatred of the new rulers. He loved painting orchids – something which at first sight does not seem political. However, asked why he had shown the flower without earth around its roots, he replied the earth had been stolen by the barbarians. The orchid is an image of the artist himself - rootless and vulnerable but with a quiet dignity.
25.7 x 42.4 cms
Osaka Municipal Museum of Art, Osaka, Japan.