According to the inscription by Zhang Yu at the left side, the main figure in this scroll is none other than Ni Zan (1301-1374), one of the Four Yuan Masters of painting. The landscape on the screen behind is also intentionally done in imitation of Ni's style. The pose of the figure is also borrowed from that of Vimalakirti in Buddhist painting, transforming the image of Ni Zan into that of a refined and lofty recluse. The painting with intentional pale colors depicts Ni Zan with brush and paper, as if about to pour out his heart. By Ni's side is an attendant holding a flywhisk, water vessel, and washbasin in an apparent reference to his fastidious cleanliness. Zhang Yu, a close friend of Ni Zan, here wrote an inscription of praise, part of which reads: "Gazing askance at the fullness of life, he takes the world lightly with a sense of humor." Outer appearance revealing the inner spirit is exactly what the portrait attempts to achieve. This scroll reflects an important friendship in Chinese painting and the development of literati portraiture, having great period significance and artistic quality as well.

— National Palace Museum

據張雨（1283-1350）題贊，畫中的主角是「元四大家」之一的倪瓚（1301-1374）。畫中屏風山水刻意模仿倪氏風格，並借用佛畫中維摩詰居士的坐姿，來塑造倪瓚風神清朗的隱士形象。全幅用色刻意淺淡，倪瓚濡筆伸紙，似欲一吐胸懷，身旁侍者手持的拂塵、水瓶、水匜等，均凸顯其潔癖習性。張、倪兩人為知交，張於題贊中稱倪：「達生傲睨，玩世諧謔。」從外在形象直透其內在神氣，與畫像恰可對映。此卷體現一段重要的畫史情誼與文人肖像畫的發展，甚具時代意義與藝術特質。

— 國立故宮博物院