30 cm (vertical) × 48.7 cm (horizontal)

 

According to art historical accounts, Ma’s techniques evolved from Wu Daozi’s “water shield stroke.” The Examination of Paintings notes: “Wu Daozi’s brushwork was extraordinary, earning him the title of ‘The Sage of Painting’ for a hundred generations. In his early years, his strokes were delicate; when he reached middle age, they became open and upright, resembling the strands of water shields.” Ma’s lines exhibit variations in thickness, ink intensity, moisture, and curvature, creating a dynamic rhythm that imbues the old tree with vitality. His ability to refine imagery and elevate brush-and-ink techniques from mere representation to an aesthetic level allowed him to create forms that are both lifelike and spiritually resonant.

 

Although this painting lacks an inscription, a comparison between the “Old Tree and Flowing Stream” and Classic of Poetry illustrations reveals shared stylistic and compositional elements. While the work does not conform to the mainstream “text and illustration” format of Classic of Poetry illustrations, its resemblance in style to certain of such illustrations offers profound insights into the creation and reproduction of Classic of Poetry illustrations.