Orchids and Rocks (Primary Title)
蘭石圖 金海岡 (圭鎮) 朝鮮時代 紙本水墨 (Primary Title)

Kim Hae-gang 金海岡, Korean, 1868 - 1933 (Artist)

early 20th century
Korean
Paintings
Scrolls
Works On Paper
Hanging scroll; ink on paper
Korea
Overall (scroll): 80 1/2 × 22 3/4 in. (204.47 × 57.79 cm)
Image: 58 1/2 × 15 3/4 in. (148.59 × 40.01 cm)
2009.360
Not on view

Kim Hae-gang was a Korean court painter and a tutor of calligraphy for the imperial family. Among his favorite subjects were orchids and rocks, symbols of purity and strength, as depicted on this painting. The inscription reads:

 

Jutting out of the cliff to seek self-comfort,

Silent in the gentle wind.

Who planted these spiritual roots in this quiet valley?

     Widely spread the fragrance on the ground.
Joseon dynasty (1392-1910)
金海岡 Kim Hae-gang
Artist's seals: 金圭鎮 Kim Gyu-jin, 海岡 Hae-gang
托身岩穴自安闲, 三逕风静静闭冥. 谁把灵根锄幽谷? 異香從此满人間. 東海漁夫金海岡 (Nesting in the cliff to seek self-comfort, silent in the gentle wind. Who planted these spiritual roots in the quiet valley? Widely spreading the unique fragrance on the ground. Kim Hae-gang, Fisherman of the East Sea)
Gift of Kang Collection Korean Art in celebration of VMFA's 75th anniversary
Kang Collection Catologue, No. 259
Image released via Creative Commons CC-BY-NC

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