Landscape

Zha Shibiao is usually grouped among the “Four Masters of Anhui” by Chinese critics. He was born of wealthy parents, a fact which enabled him to abandon attempts to gain a government position after the collapse of the Ming dynasty and to devote his life to composing poetry and painting. His works usually reveal a wide range of stylistic influences. This particular painting reflects the sparse, somewhat dreamy and languid air so often encountered in his paintings after the 14th century master Ni Zan. In fact, in his inscription the artist makes reference to his emulation of that earlier artist’s style.