(b Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, 1501; d Suzhou, 1583). Painter and calligrapher, son of (1) Wen Zhengming. He received a formal classical education and benefited from contact with the learned associates of his father. He succeeded in passing the local xiucai (first degree) examinations and was appointed gongsheng (tribute student). He did not pass the provincial juren (second degree) examinations and had an undistinguished government career. A highly cultured gentleman, Wen Jia was a member of the third generation of the WU SCHOOL, and his early works show the profound influence of his father. His activity as a calligrapher was overshadowed by the greater reputation of his older brother Wen Peng (1498-1573), who practised the full range of script types: seal (zhuanshu), clerical (lishu), regular (kaishu) and cursive (caoshu). The two brothers were lively participants in Suzhou literati life, often collaborating on projects that combined painting, poetry and calligraphy. Together they compiled the Tingyun guan tie, an anthology of calligraphy published in 1560 (see also CHINA,
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