Sun Shenxing, also known as Wensi, Qi'ao, and Xuanyanzi, was a renowned politician of the Ming Dynasty from Changzhou, Jiangsu Province. He was recognized among the ten wise ministers during the Chongzhen period. Alongside his political career, Shenxing was also a skilled calligrapher, with his work on "Shen Duyi," consisting of 100 chapters, being particularly famous.
Zhao Huanguang, also known as the Commoner and the Water Minister, was a highly respected Chinese scholar and native of Taicang in southern Zhili. Despite being descended from the Song royal family, he never pursued an official career. Along with his wife Lu Qing, he studied ancient texts, excelled in poetry and essays, and became masters of calligraphy, particularly in seal script. They were both well-known during their time.
Zhang Ruitu, also known as Changgong and Ershui, was born in Jinjiang, Fujian in 1570 and passed away in 1641. He entered the cabinet during the thirty-fifth year of Wanli's reign and also during the seventh year of Tianqi's reign. Zhang Ruitu was an accomplished calligrapher, and he was known for his excellent cursive writing. He used a square and folded brushwork technique, which resulted in a very distinct and unique style. In 1628, he created this work, which features three seals under the title: "Guoting Mountain Man" in Zhu Wen, "Zhang Ruitu Seal" in Bai Wen, and "Zen in Calligraphy and Painting". Chongzhen, the emperor at that time, allowed him to retire from his duties and become an official, and he was given the title of Taibao. He then left Beijing and returned to the south of the capital to write this poem on a boat on the Jihe River.
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.
