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As an elite courtesan in the Ming Dynasty (1368 - 1644), Ma Shouzhen (1548 - 1604) was skilled in many fine arts, including poetry, reciting classical literature, dancing, singing, acting, calligraphy and painting. She was born in 1548 in Nanjing, which was known as Jinling at the time, and lived in the popular “pleasure district” along the Qinhuai River. Ma was also known by her style names Yuejiao, meaning “Lunar Beauty”, and Xianglan, which means “Orchid of the Xiang River” and alludes to one of her favourite subjects to paint - orchids. Orchids were popular painting subjects in relation to courtesans as they represented something fragrant, delicate, and beautiful. Ma also frequently painted bamboo, narcissus, and other literati-approved foliage - which are references to the classical past, virtue and eroticism, but also grew readily in the temperate Jiangnan region. Ma Shouzhen began painting around the age of 16 and many of her works were dedicated to her literati clients, including poet and calligrapher Wang Zhideng (1535 - 1612), with whom she had a long-term relationship. The literati, or scholar-officials, wanted to be surrounded by courtesans who were talented and proficient in their areas of interest, including art, prose, and poetry - and Ma’s paintings were in high demand. Courtesans of the Late Ming straddled the dichotomies of masculine and feminine, acting as an intermediary between classes and genders, and were producers and audiences of many different art forms.