 |
Zhao Mengfu (1254-1322)
|
| |
 |
Zhao Mengfu (1254-1322)
|
| |
 |
Zhao Mengfu (1254-1322)
|
| |
 |
Zhao Mengfu (1254-1322)
|
| |
 |
Zhao Mengfu (1254-1322)
|
| |
|
Zhao Mengfu (1254-1322)
CHINA, Zhejiang, Huzhou; Southern Song to Yuan dynasty (1127–1368)
Also known as Zi'ang or Songxue Daoren, and posthumously titled Wenmin, Zhao Mengfu was a famous calligrapher, painter, scholar, poet, and seal engraver. Recommended by Cheng Jufu, Zhao became director of the Military Bureau, and eventually, he became a scholar in the Hanlin Academy. A devout Buddhist, he and his wife Guan Daosheng were disciples of Chan Master Zhongfeng Mingben. He authored ten fascicles of Literary Collection of Songxuezhai.
Erudite, talented, and good at music, Zhao also composed poems and essays. He was an expert in studying ancient artifacts and was an accomplished calligrapher and painter. In calligraphy, he initially followed the style of Emperor Gaozong (reigned 1127-1162) of the Song dynasty. In his middle age, he focused on the styles of Wang Xizhi, Wang Xianzhi, and Li Yong. Zhao was versatile in various scripts including bell and cauldron, clerical, running, cursive, and regular. Perfect and beautifully executed, his calligraphy was called Zhao style. It was often used for stele engravings.
Zhao's landscape paintings followed the styles of Dong Yuan and Li Cheng, while his figurative works emulated that of Li Gonglin and other Tang dynasty artists. He was skilled in using ink to portray bamboo, flowers, and birds. He believed that painting with an ancient taste" was important |
