Inscription Translation

Artist's inscription, signature, and 4 seals: In truth, it was masters like Dong Yuan and Juran who created the Southern school. [In their works], we observe neither the brute and unyielding force, nor traces of labored delineation. Later artists may be known for their talents or for their grasp of methods. Only Dong Yuan and Juran could approximate the Way [or Dao]. For those who allow talent to have its way may depart from the methods; whereas those who abide by methods may end up betraying the Way. There are those who claim that one may gain the Way by suppressing their talents while adhering to the methods. If we were to pose this question to Dong Yuan and Juran, they would not know what to say. How ironic! I painted this work twenty years ago. It was in the collection of Mr. Wu of Xin’an. Mr. Wu, whose name is Jinming, treasured it like a family heirloom. Later, he brought it to Jinling and asked me to inscribe it. Thereupon I discussed the art of painting with him and recorded our conversation here. I dare not say that I was emulating Dong and Ju and thereby gained insights. At the end of winter of the gengxu year [1670]. Ban mu ju ren, Gong Xian. [2 seals] Gong Banqian; Yeyi Xian. [seal, lower left corner] Gong Xian. [seal above, undecipherable, but probably a seal of Gong Xian].