Portrait of Ma Lin

Ma Lin: The 11 Most Famous Paintings, Documented

Updated Oktober 2026 · ranked by our popularity score (searches, visits and orders for each work) · 11 works by Ma Lin in our catalogue

Zusammenfassung

According to this ranking, Landschaft mit großer Kiefer (1201) is the most famous painting by Ma Lin; the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, holds it. It is followed by Scholar Reclining and Watching Rising Clouds, Poem by Wang Wei (1225) and Seated Portrait of Fu Xi (1230). This list draws on the 11 works by Ma Lin in the catalogue and records the 11 most famous, with date, holding museum and description for each entry.

1180 – 1256, Baoding Most works: Cleveland Museum of Art
Landschaft mit großer Kiefer (1201) by Ma Lin1. Landschaft mit großer Kiefer 1201 Scholar Reclining and Watching Rising Clouds, Poem by Wang Wei (1225) by Ma Lin2. Scholar Reclining and Watching Rising Clouds, Poem by Wang Wei 1225 Seated Portrait of Fu Xi (1230) by Ma Lin3. Seated Portrait of Fu Xi 1230

Ma Lin: top 10 entries of the list

1
Landschaft mit großer Kiefer (1201) by Ma Lin

Landschaft mit großer Kiefer

1201 · Seide · Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York

Ma Lins „Landschaft mit großer Kiefer“: Eine Symphonie aus Symbolik und Innovation Ma Lins „Landschaft mit großer Kiefer“ steht als eindrucksvolles Zeugnis für den künstlerischen Geist der Südlichen Song-Dynastie, indem es nicht nur eine visuelle Darstellung der Natur einfängt, sondern auch tiefgreifende daoistische Ideale widerspiegelt. Dieses im Jahr 1201 entstandene Seidengemälde mit den Maßen 25 x 26 cm befindet sich in der Sammlung des Metropolitan Museum of Art und bietet…

Order a copy Consult the entry

Ma Lin: list continued, 11 to 11

11Mume Twigs by Ma LinMume TwigsPalastmuseum

Ma Lin: holding museums

The 6 museums that hold the most of the paintings on this page.

Museum City Works by Ma Lin Paintings from this list
Cleveland Museum of Art, ClevelandCleveland Museum of Art Cleveland 3 Scholar Reclining and Watching Rising Clouds, Poem by Wang Wei, Scholar Reclining and Watching Rising Clouds; Poem by Wang Wei, Landscape with Flying Geese
Nationalpalastmuseum, TaipehNationalpalastmuseum Taipeh 3 Seated Portrait of Fu Xi, Standing Portrait of King Yu of Xia, Listening Quietly to Soughing Pines
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New YorkMetropolitan Museum of Art New York 2 Landschaft mit großer Kiefer, Untitled (D2X89S)
Rhode Island School of Design Museum of Art, ProvidenceRhode Island School of Design Museum of Art Providence 1 Magpies and Flowering Plum Tree
MOA Museum of Art, AtamiMOA Museum of Art Atami 1 Solitary Fisherman on a Wintry River
Palastmuseum, PekingPalastmuseum Peking 1 Mume Twigs

Ma Lin by decade: the most famous painting of each

Works per decade

Select a decade to display its principal painting.

Ma Lin: questions and documented answers

Which Ma Lin painting heads the list of most famous works?Display the answer

Landschaft mit großer Kiefer (1201), Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York. The following entries are Scholar Reclining and Watching Rising Clouds, Poem by Wang Wei (1225) and Seated Portrait of Fu Xi (1230).

What age had Ma Lin reached when Landschaft mit großer Kiefer was painted?Display the answer

21 years: Ma Lin was born in 1180 and Landschaft mit großer Kiefer is dated 1201.

Which works make up the top 10 of Ma Lin?Display the answer

Landschaft mit großer Kiefer, Scholar Reclining and Watching Rising Clouds, Poem by Wang Wei, Seated Portrait of Fu Xi, Untitled (D2X89S), Scholar Reclining and Watching Rising Clouds; Poem by Wang Wei, Landscape with Flying Geese, Standing Portrait of King Yu of Xia, Listening Quietly to Soughing Pines, Magpies and Flowering Plum Tree and Solitary Fisherman on a Wintry River. The list above records the date and holding museum of each.

How many works by Ma Lin are recorded?Display the answer

The catalogue records 11 works by Ma Lin, dated between 1201 and 1250.

In which collections are Ma Lin's most famous works held?Display the answer

Principally in Cleveland Museum of Art (Cleveland), Nationalpalastmuseum (Taipeh) and Metropolitan Museum of Art (New York). The museum table above gives the full distribution.

When were the most famous works of Ma Lin painted?Display the answer

In 1200s: 2 of the 11 works listed on this page are dated to that period, including Landschaft mit großer Kiefer.

Which dated works by Ma Lin are the earliest and the latest here?Display the answer

The earliest dated work listed here is Landschaft mit großer Kiefer (1201); the latest is Landscape with Flying Geese (1250).

Which works of Ma Lin are held by the Cleveland Museum of Art?Display the answer

Scholar Reclining and Watching Rising Clouds, Poem by Wang Wei, Scholar Reclining and Watching Rising Clouds; Poem by Wang Wei and Landscape with Flying Geese are among the 3 works on this page in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland.

Where can reproductions of Ma Lin's paintings be obtained?Display the answer

Yes. Each work listed on this page can be ordered from its own entry as a hand-painted oil reproduction or a fine art print, in a size of your choice.

Ma Lin: life and work

Early Life and Artistic Influences

Ma Lin, born in Baoding, China (1180), was enveloped in the vibrant artistic world from his earliest years thanks to his father, Ma Yuan—a celebrated painter of his time. This familial connection instilled within him a profound appreciation for artistic expression and provided invaluable foundational knowledge regarding painting techniques. Ma Yuan’s influence extended beyond mere instruction; he fostered an understanding of aesthetic ideals prevalent during the Song Dynasty, shaping Ma Lin's artistic sensibilities.

Artistic Style and Notable Works

Ma Lin distinguished himself through his groundbreaking ‘boneless’ painting technique—a method that eschewed outlines and preparatory sketches, allowing for unparalleled fluidity and spontaneity in capturing natural scenes and figures in motion. This innovative approach was particularly evident in his masterpiece, “Night Outing with Candles,” a breathtaking depiction of a gentleman illuminated by tall candles amidst flowering crab apple trees. The piece exemplifies Ma Lin’s mastery of light and atmosphere, conveying serenity and beauty with remarkable subtlety. Furthermore, handscrolls attributed to Ma Lin are housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art (New York City), showcasing his dedication to preserving artistic heritage.

Legacy and Influence

Ma Lin's contribution to Song Dynasty art is undeniable—he perfected a technique that would become synonymous with Chinese landscape painting and profoundly impacted subsequent generations of artists. His work embodies the spirit of elegance, sensitivity, and meticulous observation characteristic of the era. He stands as one of China’s foremost painters, securing his place in artistic history through enduring beauty and innovation.

Museum Collections

Ma Lin's artworks are proudly displayed in prominent museums across China and internationally. The China Modern and Contemporary Art Document Research Center (Beijing) houses a significant collection of his paintings, offering scholars and enthusiasts alike the opportunity to study his oeuvre firsthand. Additionally, “Night Outing with Candles” resides within the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s impressive holdings—a testament to Ma Lin's artistic significance and lasting appeal.

Further Exploration

To delve deeper into Ma Lin’s artistic journey and the broader context of Song Dynasty art, consult resources available at WikiOO: the ilkhanid art movement – understanding the wider artistic currents of the period; zhao mengfu's riders leading a white horse - exploring another influential artist from the same era; and tenshō shūbun’s mountain landscape – appreciating the influence of Chinese art on Japanese painters.

All 11 works by Ma Lin →