Paying homage to a rock is a typical theme by painters through centuries, referencing to Mi Fu of Song dynasty who adored and befriended rocks. Pu Hsin-yu uses this classical approach to depict the spirit of Mi Fu, while showcasing his exceptional control of ink and brush, creating a modern scholar painting.
With swift strokes, the scholar and rock were sketched with precision and intriguing lines. The rock looms from the left forming an intriguing composition. Axe and hemp-fibre strokes depicted the rough texture of the rock. With little colouring, calligraphy strokes become more striking, as lines were depicted with seal and clerical strokes, swift yet blunt at the ends, with hooks instead of soft strokes. Pu’s paintings are intriguing as he depicted a banana tree and bamboo, the first representing a tranquil life while the second suggesting a noble character, implying classical and contemporary scholars. The figures of this painting shows exceptional skills of the artist as outlines are thin as silk, featuring the crumpled fabric, highlighting the realistic depiction of Mi Fu paying homage to the rock, in a scholarly manner, showing the scholar character and noble style of Pu Hsin-yu.