Text

Many volumes from Tang to Song dynasties have exalted the plants. / Still, ancient paintings and writings on orchids even surpass Shijing and Lisao. / Having handed over my brilliant verse (i.e., painting of orchid) / why not venture out into the streets and critique its quality (see how it compares to ancient works on orchids).

唐宋文章草木高

千秋蘭譜壓風騷如何

爛賦從人賣十字街頭論担挑

Signature

Jigong nocho Haegang 至空老樵海岡

Seals

[right of inscription] Life’s first [i.e., highest, number one] joy [i.e., that parents and siblings are alive and well]; clear writing 人生一樂 筆墨淸良

[below end of inscription, upper seal] Kim Gyujin in 金圭鎭印

[below end of inscription, lower seal] Haegang 海岡 [artist’s pen name]

[bottom right of scroll] Collection of the Yeonggi family 永基家藏 [Kim Yeonggi (1911–2003) was the artist’s son]