Lin Hejing Searching for Plum Blossoms, late 16th century, Kano Gyokuraku, Japanese, late 16th century, 30 1/2 ¡Ñ 10 5/8 in. (77.47 ¡Ñ 26.99 cm) (image)60 5/8 ¡Ñ 15 3/8 in. (153.99 ¡Ñ 39.05 cm), Ink and color on paper, Japan, 16th century, The subject of this painting is the poet Lin Hejing, who lived in China during the Northern Song dynasty (960¡V1127) and whose poetic works were known widely in Japan. He is seen walking below a plum tree and staring into the distance as a young attendant draws up behind him, carrying the branch of a plum tree collected earlier. Lin Hejing was renowned for his love of the plum tree, a first sign of spring that oftentimes blossoms when snow is still falling.