ABSTRACT
In the act of interpretation by inscribing the lyric on the painting, not only did Ni Tsan often reflect from a later perspective upon the inner life changes, but he also tried to relocate the landscape which appears to be abstract and difficult to identify. It is almost universally acknowledged that classical Chinese literati painting could do without inspiring lyrics in excellent calligraphy accompanied by a handful of beautifully carved seals. In addition to Mi Fu, who is famous for his ink paintings and lyrics, Su shih is often celebrated for his attempt to introduce literary pictorialism. T'ao refers to himself as a lyric subject, "Hsi-huang the ancient hermit," and, assuming a speaking position of an orchid, the speaker in Cheng's lyric raises the question concerning the hermit Hsi-huang's main reason for coming to the secluded part of the country.
