Jointly edited by various famous masters from across the realm

Preface 1

Painting Manual, Second Collection

Manual of Orchids

Xiushui is an ancient name for the Jiaxing region in Zhejiang province. Wang Anjie is the courtesy name of Wang Gai (c. 1645–1710), the lead artist who created the woodblock designs that defined the Mustard Seed Garden style.

The "Son-in-law's Studio" refers to the publishing house of Shen Yinbo (Shen Xinyou), who was the son-in-law of the famous playwright Li Yu. Shen was the driving force behind the publication of the second and third parts of the manual.

Preface to the Collected Edition of the Painting Manual

In the past, I was commissioned by the Mustard Seed Garden to copy and imitate ancient works. When the first collection of the Painting Manual was completed, Master Shen Yinbo brought it to his late father-in-law, Mr. Li—

Mustard Seed Garden Manual of Painting (Jieziyuan Huazhuan): The most famous instructional manual for Chinese landscape and flower-and-bird painting, which standardized the teaching of brushwork for centuries.
Manual of Orchids (Lanpu): The orchid is one of the "Four Gentlemen" in Chinese art (along with the plum, bamboo, and chrysanthemum), symbolizing scholar-like integrity and refinement.
Wang Anjie: Also known as Wang Gai, a painter of the early Qing Dynasty whose meticulous style was perfectly suited for the woodblock printing medium.
Shen Yinbo: Also known as Shen Xinyou, the publisher who expanded the Mustard Seed Garden series after the death of his father-in-law, Li Yu.