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Wang Mian

Type Figure Region China Time 1287–1359 Also known as Yuanzang、Mountain Farmer Who Boils Stones、Master of the Plum Blossom Studio

Wang Mian (1287–1359) was a renowned late Yuan painter and poet who pioneered a new style in ink plum blossom painting, declaring "My ink plums have …

Timeline

  1. 1350–1359Jiuli Mountain, Kuaiji · ShaoxingIn his later years Wang Mian lived in reclusion at Jiuli Mountain in Kuaiji, making his living by painting plum blossoms, writing poetry, and teaching students. He created the "ink wash method" for painting plum blossoms, rendering petals entirely in ink without any white powder, and inscribed long poems on his plum paintings. Representative works include "Ink Plum Blossom" and "Early Spring on the Southern Branch," establishing the foundation of ink plum blossom painting as an independent genre in the Yuan.
  2. 1361–1370Jiangnan · JiangnanAfter Wang Mian's death in 1359, his ink plum technique and the literati painting ideal of "unity of poetry, calligraphy, and painting" continued to ferment in Jiangnan art circles. Between 1361 and 1370, painters such as Ni Zan and Wang Meng absorbed his simple, effortless brushwork and inscription tradition in their landscape creations. Wang Mian was later honored as a milestone figure in Yuan dynasty flower-and-bird painting.

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