The Four Noble Men

Gao Yihong (known in Taiwan as Kao Yi-hung) was originally from Hangzhou, the capitol of the Zhejiang (Chekiang) province on China’s East coast. In 1949, he moved to the island of Taiwan, settling in Taipei. There, he continued to explore the traditional medium of ink painting, departing from traditional stylistic rules and becoming one of Taiwan’s better-known painters from the 1950s to 1970s. This expressive painting depicts a late autumn or winter scene in a garden. The plants featured are bamboo, yellow chrysanthemums, and pink plum blossoms. These three plants, together with the orchid, are typically found in Chinese painting and are referred to as the “Four Noble Men” or “Four Gentlemen” due to the beauty of the plants and their associated qualities. The inscription and seals on this painting indicate that Gao referred to his workshop as the “Studio of Orchid Fragrance.” He therefore suggests that he, the artist, is a stand in for the orchid blossom—the fourth noble man. In the background, the artist has included a palm frond, which may situate the scene in Taiwan.