TheFour Masters of the Ming dynasty (Chinese:明四家;pinyin:Míng Sì Jiā) are a traditional grouping in Chinese art history of four famousChinese painters that lived during theMing dynasty. The group consists ofShen Zhou (1427–1509),Wen Zhengming (1470–1559),Tang Yin (1470–1523), andQiu Ying (c.1494–c.1552).[1][2] They were contemporaries, with Shen being the teacher of Wen, while Tang and Qiu was taught byZhou Chen (1460–1535). All five of the aforementioned painters were part of theWu School.[3] Their styles and subject matter were varied.[4] Qiu was solely a painter, while the other three developed distinct styles of painting, calligraphy, and poetry.
There are several alternative terms for these four leading painters:[citation needed]
The "Four Masters" designation was first used in the mid-Ming dynasty, probably during theJiajing era, and has continued to be applied since then.
Some of the painters were friends when they were living, and were familiar with each other's works. Their family backgrounds varied,Tang Yin was born into a poor merchant background, while Wen Zhengming's father had strong connections and became a patron to Tang, suggesting a relatively prosperous family status.[1] Both Tang and Wen were also skilled in poetry and calligraphy.[1][7]
Shen Zhou was born in a respected and wealthy family. He was one of the main founders of theWu School of painting and was also a poet, essayist and calligrapher.[2] Wen studied painting with Shen while Tang and Qiu studied with Zhou Chen, all of whom from the Wu School and made major painting revival techniques from their predecessors.[3]
Shen was most accomplished inshan shui painting and painted in a firm well-structured painting technique, probably following the techniques ofWang Ming.[2] While Tang was accomplished in painting landscapes and semi-cursive script.[1] Wen studied under the tutelage of Shen and would have borrowed painting techniques from him.[8]
Except for Qiu, the other three painters were accomplishedcalligraphers andpoets.