Chen Chun
Pioneered freehand ink flower-and-bird painting
Chen Chun(陈淳) (1483–1544), courtesy name Daofu(道复), alternate name Fufu(复甫), also known as Baiyang(白阳) or Baiyang Shanren(白阳山人), was from Changzhou (now Suzhou, Jiangsu) and a master painter of the Ming dynasty. He and Xu Wei(徐渭) were jointly known as 'Qingteng and Baiyang(青藤白阳).' His representative works include 'Poems and Paintings of Red Pear,' 'Sunflower and Rock,' and 'Plum Blossom and Narcissus Scroll.' His grandfather Chen Ju was close friends with Shen Zhou, and his father Chen Yao was a close friend of Wen Zhengming. In his early years, he studied under Wen Zhengming. His painting style was influenced by Shen Zhou and Yuan dynasty masters. He excelled at freehand flower-and-bird painting, forming a unique style with sparse, tilted, and disorderly brushwork using light ink. In middle age, he broke away from his teachers, integrating cursive script techniques into painting. His ink and wash method became more unrestrained and free. For landscapes, he followed Mi Youren’s approach, using rich ink to show misty atmospheres. He was especially skilled in cursive and seal script calligraphy and pioneered a romantic calligraphy style in the late Ming period. His son Chen Kuo continued the family tradition. Chen Kuo emphasized an artistic approach that sought "beyond the brush and ink," pursuing a spirit that transcends mere physical forms.