Wen Zhengming (1470–1559)
Born Wen Bi, with courtesy names Zhengming and later Xing and Zhengzhong, Wen Zhengming was a renowned painter, calligrapher, and poet from Changzhou (modern-day Suzhou, Jiangsu Province). He was a central figure in the Wu School of Painting and Calligraphy, which included luminaries such as Shen Zhou, Tang Yin, and Qiu Ying, collectively referred to as the "Four Masters of the Wu School."
In his early years, Wen studied painting under Shen Zhou, calligraphy with Li Yingzhen, and literature under Wu Kuan. Despite his dedication, he struggled to succeed in the imperial examinations. It was not until his fifties, through the recommendation of Li Kecheng, Governor of Jiangsu, that he was appointed to the prestigious Hanlin Academy, earning him the title "Wen Daizhao." Known for his cautious diligence, Wen dedicated himself to refining his skills in poetry, painting, and calligraphy, leaving a profound legacy in Chinese art history.
"Seven-Character Poem in Running Script Written by Myself"
Wen Zhengming’s calligraphy, celebrated for its elegance and depth, remained exceptional even in his later years. This work, created when Wen was in his eighties, exemplifies his mastery of running script. Standing nearly three and a half meters tall, with characters approximately 25 centimeters in size, it is a rare example of large-scale calligraphy from his oeuvre.
