Shen Zhou

• Shen Zhou, courtesy name Qinan, and pseudonym Shitian, was the founder of the Wu School of painting and one of the Four Masters of the Ming Dynasty. He was deeply engaged in poetry, prose, calligraphy, and painting, and is considered the initiator of the "Wu School" style of literati painting during the mid-Ming period. Shen Zhou, along with Wen Zhengming, Tang Yin, and Qiu Ying, is collectively known as one of the "Four Masters of the Ming Dynasty" (明四家).

• relevant artists

  • Wang Hui

    Wang Hui (1632-1717), courtesy name was Xiang Wen and Shi Gu, art name was Qu Qiao, Tianfang Xianren, Xueli Daoren, Hai Yu, Shan Qiao, Qinghui Zhuren, etc., born in Changshu Jiangsu, a prominent painter of the Qing Dynasty. He was good at panting landscapes, human figures, flowers, birds and insects, they were painted smooth with light ink.

  • Dai Jin

  • Zhao Boju

  • Ni Zan

  • Zhou Zhimian

  • Wang Wen

  • Wen Jia

  • Lv Xue

  • Yan Wengui

  • Wendian

    Wen Dian with the courtesy name as Yoya and the artname as Nanyun Mountain was born in Changzhou, Jiangsu Province. He was a Great-great-grandson of Wen Peng, son of Wen Qing Ming, a famous painter of the Ming dynasty. A famous painter of the early Qing dynasty. He specialized in poetry and calligraphy. Sansui painting incorporates the technique of Komei and is characterized by thin lines. He was also excellent in figure paintings and Shochiku small pieces.

  • Wen Zhengming

    Wen Zhengming, originally named Bi, courtesy name Zhengming, later changed to Zhengzhong, and also known by the pseudonyms Ting Yun Sheng and Hengshan, was from Changzhou, Jiangsu. He studied under the famous painter Shen Zhou. Renowned for his mastery in both painting and calligraphy, he is considered one of the Four Masters of the Ming Dynasty.

  • Tang Yin

    Tang Yin was born in Nan zhili Suzhou hu wu (Current Suhou, Jiangsu) He is a famous painter, calligrapher and poet of Ming dynasty. He is called as “Wu men si jia” or “Ming si jia” with Shenzhou, Wen Zhiming and Chouying. On poems and sentences he is called “Wu Zhong Si Caizi” with Zhuyunming, Xuzhenqing and Chouying.

  • Tong Qichang

    Tang Qichang (1555-1636), courtesy name was Xuan Zai, art name was Si Bai and Xiangguang Jushi, born in Huating. He wsa talented and had great abilities in poetry, calligraphy and painting. He preferred painting landscape, and put emphasis on traditional techniques, and pursued brushstrokes and color to create beautiful works. His works had a great influence on the art world in the Late Ming and early Qing Dynasty, and also on the present day, they are still being pursued by collectors all over the world.

  • Wu Kuan

  • Chen Jiru