Four Masters of the Ming dynasty

The Four Masters of the Ming dynasty (Chinese: 明四家; pinyin: Míng Sì Jiā) are a traditional grouping in Chinese art history of four famous Chinese painters of the Ming dynasty. The group are Shen Zhou (1427-1509), Wen Zhengming (1470-1559), both of the Wu School, Tang Yin (1470-1523), and Qiu Ying (c.1494-c.1552). They were approximate contemporaries, with Shen Zhou the teacher of Wen Zhengming, while the other two studied with Zhou Chen. Their styles and subject matter were varied.[1] Shen and Wen exemplified the Wu School ideal of the gentleman artist, while Tang and Qiu epitomized the accomplished Suzhou professional. Qiu was solely a painter; the other three developed distinct styles of painting, calligraphy, and poetry.

Four Masters of the Ming dynasty - 明四家 - Ming Sijia.
Clearing after Snow on a Mountain Pass by Tang Yin (1470-1524)

Other names

There are several alternative terms for these four leading painters:

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

The painters were friends when they were living, and were very familiar with each other's work. Their family backgrounds varied; Tang Yin was born into a rich merchant family,[3] Wen Zhengming was born into a bureaucratic family and was himself a government official. Qiu Ying was a craftsman of dyes and lacquers.

Portrait of Shen Zhou, one of the four painting masters

Shen Zhou was one of the main founders of the Wu School of painting. Shen's early mentor was Du Qiong, and Shen's paternal grandfather was a friend of Wang Meng, an artist of the late Yuan dynasty. Shen's father and uncle were both painters.

Both Shen Zhou and Qiu Ying were most accomplished in shan shui painting, and they were well-versed in the painting style of the imperial court. Tang Yin was accomplished in nearly all styles of traditional Chinese painting.[3] Wen Zhengming was accomplished in blue-green shan shui painting and the gongbi style.

Wen Zhengming was a student of Shen Zhou. Zhou Chen was an important coach in Tang's early career, while Qiu Ying was self-taught. Except for Qiu, the other three were also classical Confucian scholars and accomplished calligraphers and poets.

Tang Yin later became a character in historical fiction and is very well known in popular culture.[3]

See also

Notes
  1. Rawson, p. 340
  2. "Wumen Painting School and Four Master Painters of Suzhou". Chinadaily.com.cn. Archived from the original on 1 October 2009. Retrieved 31 May 2010.
  3. "Tang Yin: One of the Four Masters of Ming Dynasty". cultural-china.com. 2007. Archived from the original on 8 July 2011. Retrieved 31 May 2010.

References
  • Rawson, Jessica (ed). The British Museum Book of Chinese Art, 2007 (2nd edn), British Museum Press, ISBN 9780714124469
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