Wen Zhengming's Paintings

Author: Wang Jin
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-02-01
Features: A Legendary Life, Timeless Paintings, Captivating Critiques!
The ancients often sighed, "After brilliance, it returns to simplicity." We might think of the tension and splendor of others' lives. Even Tang Yin, whose fame spread like spring flowers, talented scholar, dazzling fireworks, and meteoric rise, ultimately could not match Zheng Ming's calmness and detachment. Zheng Ming's charm, whether as a natural individual or as a mysterious figure in art, lies precisely in this composure.
Wen Zhengming, originally from Changzhou, was initially named Bi, but went by his courtesy name Zhengzhong, and later took the sobriquet Hengshan. His father, Lin, was the magistrate of Wenzhou. His uncle, Shen, was the Right Vice Censor-in-Chief. When Lin passed away, the officials and people of Wenzhou collected a thousand gold pieces as a funeral gift. At sixteen, Zheng Ming refused to accept it. The officials and people then built a "Refusal of Gold Pavilion" to honor the former magistrate He Wenyuan and record the event.
When young, Zheng Ming was considered dull, but as he grew older, he became outstandingly talented. He studied literature with Wu Kuan, calligraphy with Li Yingzhen, and painting with Shen Zhou—all of whom were his father's friends. He also engaged in intellectual exchanges with Zhu Yunming, Tang Yin, Xu Zhengqing, and others, gaining increasing fame.
Zheng Ming was a gentle yet principled person. When the (provincial governor) Yu Jian wanted to give him gold, pointing to his blue robe and asking, "Are you so poor?" Zheng Ming pretended not to understand and said, "It got ruined in the rain." Yu Jian then dared not mention giving him gold. Ning Wang Chen Hao admired his reputation and sent letters and gifts to invite him, but Zheng Ming declined, citing illness.
In the late Zhengde era, the (provincial governor) Li Chongsi recommended him, and coincidentally, Zheng Ming also went to the Ministry of Personnel for an examination as a provincial tribute student. He was appointed as a (court painter) in the Hanlin Academy. When Emperor Shizong ascended the throne, he was involved in compiling the 《》(Veritable Records of Emperor Wuzong) and attended imperial lectures, receiving annual imperial gifts alongside other literary officials. However, at that time, the imperial examinations were highly valued, and Zheng Ming felt dissatisfied, requesting leave from court for several years.
Earlier, when Lin served as the magistrate of Wenzhou, he recognized Zhang Cheng among his students. After Zhang gained power, he persuaded Zheng Ming to align with him, but Zheng Ming refused. When Yang Yiqing was summoned to assist in governance, Zheng Ming arrived last. Yang Yiqing urgently said, "Do you not know that your father was a friend of mine?" Zheng Ming replied earnestly, "My father abandoned me for over thirty years, and I would not forget even a single character he mentioned. I honestly do not know that you were friends with my father." Yang Yiqing was embarrassed and soon plotted with Zhang Cheng to transfer Zheng Ming to a different post. Zheng Ming intensified his requests to return home, and thus was granted retirement.
People from all over sought his poems, calligraphy, and paintings, but it was difficult to obtain even a single sheet from the wealthy. He was particularly reluctant to give to royal courts or officials, saying, "This is forbidden by law." The Princes Zhou and Hu gifted him treasures, which he returned unopened. Foreign envoys passing through Wuzhou would bow respectfully in his presence, regretting not being able to meet him. His writings spread far and wide, and many of his disciples produced forgeries, which he did not stop.
Zheng Ming died in the 38th year of the Jiajing era, at the age of ninety. His eldest son, Peng, styled Shoucheng, was a National University scholar. His second son, Jia, styled Xiucheng, was the head of the Huai Prefecture School. Both were skilled in poetry, calligraphy, painting, and seal carving, carrying on the family tradition. Peng's grandson, Zhenmeng, also had his own biography.
In Wuzhong, since Wu Kuan and Wang Ao led the literary scene in the imperial academy, the famous scholars Shen Zhou, Zhu Yunming, and others competed alongside them, making the literary style flourish. Wen Zhengming, along with Cai Yu, Huang Shengzeng, Yuan CW, and the brothers, emerged later. Yet, for decades, Zheng Ming dominated the elegant literary tradition, and those who associated with him—Wang Chong, Lu Shidao, Chen Daofu, Wang Guxiang, Peng Nian, Zhou Tianqiu, and Qian Gu—were all renowned for their literary talents.