The Four Masters of the Ming dynasty () are a traditional grouping in Chinese art history of four famous Chinese painters that lived during the

Ming dynasty The Ming dynasty (), officially the Great Ming, was an imperial dynasty of China, ruling from 1368 to 1644 following the collapse of the Mongol-led Yuan dynasty. The Ming dynasty was the last orthodox dynasty of China ruled by the Han peo ...

. The group consists of

Shen Zhou Shen Zhou (, 1427–1509), courtesy names Qi'nan () and Shitian (), was a Chinese painting, Chinese painter in the Ming dynasty. He lived during the post-transition period of the Yuan conquest of the Ming. Luckily, his family worked closely with ...

(1427–1509),

Wen Zhengming Wen Zhengming (28 November 1470 – 1559), born Wen Bi, was a Chinese painter, calligrapher, and poet during the Ming dynasty. He was regarded as one of the Four Masters of Ming painting. Biography Wen Zhengming was born Wen Bi near present-day ...

(1470–1559), Tang Yin (1470–1523), and

Qiu Ying Qiu Ying (; 1494 – 1552)Cihai page 211. was a Chinese painter of the Ming dynasty who specialised in the ''gongbi'' brush technique. Early life Qiu Ying's courtesy name was Shifu (), and his art name was Shizhou (). He was born to a peasan ...

(c.1494–c.1552). They were contemporaries, with Shen being the teacher of Wen, while Tang and Qiu was taught by Zhou Chen (1460–1535). All five of the aforementioned painters were part of the

Wu School Wu or Wumen School () is a group of painters of the Southern School during the Ming period of Chinese history. It was not an academy or educational institution, but rather a group united largely by the artistic theories of its members. Often clas ...

. Their styles and subject matter were varied. Qiu was solely a painter, while the other three developed distinct styles of painting, calligraphy, and poetry.

Other names

There are several alternative terms for these four leading painters: * Four Great Masters of the Ming () * Four Masters of Suzhou: all four came from the vicinity of SuzhouRawson, p. 340 * Four Masters of Wu (): all four came from the region of Wu, which surrounds the city of Suzhou The "Four Masters" designation was first used in the mid-Ming dynasty, probably during the Jiajing era, and has continued to be applied since then.

The painters

Some of the painters were friends when they were living, and were familiar with each other's works. Their family backgrounds varied, Tang Yin was born into a poor merchant background, while Wen Zhengming's father had strong connections and became a patron to Tang, suggesting a relatively prosperous family status. Both Tang and Wen were also skilled in poetry and calligraphy. Shen Zhou was born in a respected and wealthy family. He was one of the main founders of the

of painting and was also a poet, essayist and calligrapher. Wen studied painting with Shen while Tang and Qiu studied with Zhou Chen, all of whom from the Wu School and made major painting revival techniques from their predecessors. Shen was most accomplished in ''

shan shui ''Shan shui'' (; pronounced ) refers to a style of traditional Chinese painting that involves or depicts scenery or natural landscapes, using a brush and ink rather than more conventional paints. Mountains, rivers and waterfalls are common ...

'' painting and painted in a firm well-structured painting technique, probably following the techniques of

Wang Ming Wang may refer to: Names * Wang (surname) (王), a common Chinese surname * Wāng (汪), a less common Chinese surname * Titles in Chinese nobility * A title in Korean nobility * A title in Mongolian nobility Places * Wang River in Thail ...

. While Tang was accomplished in painting landscapes and semi-cursive script. Wen studied under the tutelage of Shen and would have borrowed painting techniques from him. Except for Qiu, the other three painters were accomplished calligraphers and

poet A poet is a person who studies and creates poetry. Poets may describe themselves as such or be described as such by others. A poet may simply be the creator ( thinker, songwriter, writer, or author) who creates (composes) poems ( oral or wri ...

Notes

External links

Tang Yin: One of the Four Masters of Ming dynasty
* Book

;
In Full Flower. Painting with Words: Gentleman Artists of the Ming Dynasty

References

* Rawson, Jessica (ed). ''The British Museum Book of Chinese Art'', 2007 (2nd edn), British Museum Press, {{Ming dynasty topics Ming dynasty painters Culture in Jiangsu History of Suzhou Quartets

Other names

The painters

See also

Notes

External links

References