Wu Zhen

Timeline

1. 1280–1310Jiaxing · Jiaxing CityA lifelong resident of Weitang, Jiaxing, of aloof temperament, he remained a recluse without taking office all his life. In his early years he studied painting and calligraphy, was versed in Buddhism and Daoism, and mingled with Jiangnan literati, gradually forming a distinctive artistic style.
2. 1311–1340Jiaxing · Jiaxing CityStyling himself Mei Daoren, he painted ceaselessly around Jiaxing. His landscapes followed Dong Yuan and Ju Ran, using wet ink to create vast, weighty moods; his ink bamboo works were crisp and powerful, and with Huang Gongwang, Ni Zan and other Yuan masters he was counted among the Four Masters of the Yuan.
3. 1341–1354Jiaxing · Jiaxing CityIn his later years he still lived in Jiaxing, creating landscapes and ink bamboo, dying in the 14th year of Zhizheng at the age of seventy-five. His artistic achievements were highly regarded by the Ming and Qing art worlds.