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Wen Zhengming

 

(born 1470, Suzhou, Jiangsu province, China — died 1559) Chinese painter, calligrapher, and scholarly figure. Born to an established family, Wen Zhengming was by nature sensitive and withdrawn, and it was not until age 53 that he emerged from his scholarly isolation, receiving the recognition of the court with his appointment to the Hanlin Academy. He stayed there for only three years and then retired to produce his best-known works. He was expert at the four major styles of calligraphy: seal, official, regular, and "running." In all his paintings there is a spirit of studied antiquarianism and cautious consideration. In technique, Wen Zhengming's paintings range from the highly detailed to the more freely washed. Along with his teacher, Shen Zhou, he was a leading figure of the Wu school of scholar-artists.

For more information on Wen Zhengming, visit Britannica.com.

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Art Encyclopedia: Wen Zhengming
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(b Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, 1470; d Suzhou, 1559). Painter and calligrapher. He was considered one of the Four Masters of the Ming period (1368-1644), along with Shen Zhou, Tang Yin and Qiu Ying. The most famous member of the second generation of WU SCHOOL artists, he profoundly influenced later painters. He was remarkable for his individuality as well as for the variety and range of his creativity. Although he was a thorough and diligent student, Wen Zhengming repeatedly failed the national examinations, the third level of civil service examinations. Finally, a local governor recommended him to a post in Beijing, where he lived from 1523 to 1527, working in the Hanlin Academy (see CHINA,

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Wikipedia: Wen Zhengming
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This is a Chinese name; the family name is Wen.

Wen Zhengming (simplified Chinese: 文征明traditional Chinese: 文徵明pinyin: Wén Zhēngmíng; Wade-Giles: Wen Cheng-ming, 1470–1559) was a leading Ming Dynasty painter, calligrapher, and scholar.

Born in present-day Suzhou, he claimed to be a descendant of the Song Dynasty prime minister and patriot Wen Tianxiang. Wen’s family was originally from Hengyang, Hunan, where his family had established itself shortly after the 10th century. Not until the time of Wen's great-grandfather, Wen Hui, a military officer, did the family move to the Suzhou area.

Wen often chose painting subjects of great simplicity, like a single tree or rock. His work often brings about a feeling of strength through isolation, which often reflected his discontent with official life. Many of his works also celebrate the contexts of elite social life for which they were created. He collaborated in the design of the Humble Administrator's Garden, generally considered one of China's four greatest gardens.

References

  • Clunas, Craig. Elegant Debts: The Social Art of Wen Zhengming, 1470-1559. London: Reaktion Books, 2004.
  • Shan, Guoqiang, "Wen Zhengming". Encyclopedia of China (Arts Edition), 1st ed.

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