Shitao · Masters Copying Famous Paintings

Author: Xiao Hai Chun
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-01-01
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Shitao, a native of Guilin, Guangxi (1642-1707), was a member of the Ming imperial family with the secular surname Zhu. His name was Ruojie, his Dharma name was Yuanji, and his sobriquets were Daitizi, Kugu Huoshang, and Qingxiang Laoren. In his youth, his family suffered misfortune, and he was rescued by his family and ordained as a monk at Xiangshan Temple in Quanzhou, Guangxi. Shitao traveled extensively in his youth. He explored the Xiaoxiang River, passed through Dongting Lake, climbed Mount Lu, and later wandered through Xuancheng in Anhui. He climbed Huangshan Mountain three times and met Mei Qing, among others, gaining much in poetry and painting and laying the foundation for Shitao's artistic style. In middle age, he settled in Nanjing, often staying at Yizige, and made many friends. Later, he traveled to Yangzhou and resided at Pingshantang, then moved north to the capital seeking recognition but failed and returned to Yangzhou. He made a living by selling paintings and built the Daiti Cottage. Shitao was a remarkable figure in the history of Chinese landscape painting. After his death, his reputation flourished, and his art is particularly admired by modern people. It can be said that Shitao is one of the most revered masters in the history of Chinese painting.
Shitao, a native of Guilin, Guangxi (1642-1707), was a member of the Ming imperial family with the secular surname Zhu. His name was Ruojie, his Dharma name was Yuanji, and his sobriquets were Daitizi, Kugu Huoshang, and Qingxiang Laoren. In his youth, his family suffered misfortune, and he was rescued by his family and ordained as a monk at Xiangshan Temple in Quanzhou, Guangxi. Shitao traveled extensively in his youth. He explored the Xiaoxiang River, passed through Dongting Lake, climbed Mount Lu, and later wandered through Xuancheng in Anhui. He climbed Huangshan Mountain three times and met Mei Qing, among others, gaining much in poetry and painting and laying the foundation for Shitao's artistic style. In middle age, he settled in Nanjing, often staying at Yizige, and made many friends. Later, he traveled to Yangzhou and resided at Pingshantang, then moved north to the capital seeking recognition but failed and returned to Yangzhou. He made a living by selling paintings and built the Daiti Cottage. Shitao was a remarkable figure in the history of Chinese landscape painting. After his death, his reputation flourished, and his art is particularly admired by modern people. It can be said that Shitao is one of the most revered masters in the history of Chinese painting.