Dong Qichang
晚明书画泰斗，创立“南北宗论”，深刻重塑中国艺术史叙事，教科书级大师
Dong Qichang (February 10, 1555 – October 26, 1636), courtesy name Xuanzai, also known as Sibai and Xiangguang Jushi, was from Songjiang Huating (now Shanghai). He was a late Ming dynasty official and a painter-calligrapher. In the 17th year of the Wanli reign (1589), he passed the imperial examination and was appointed as a compiler at the Hanlin Academy. He once served as a tutor to the emperor's eldest son, Zhu Changluo. He held positions such as Deputy Director of Education in Huguang, Deputy Director of Education in Fujian, and Administrator in Henan, but later resigned due to illness. In the first year of the Taichang reign (1620), when Ming Guangzong Zhu Changluo ascended the throne, Dong was appointed Vice Minister of Rites and Chief Examiner of the National University, and he participated in compiling the 'Veritable Records of Emperor Shenzong of Ming.' In the fifth year of the Tianqi reign (1625), he became Minister of Rites in Nanjing but resigned over certain matters. In the fifth year of the Chongzhen reign (1632), he became Tutor to the Crown Prince. In the seventh year (1634), he returned to his hometown. He passed away in the ninth year of Chongzhen (1636), with the posthumous title '文敏' Dong Qichang was skilled in landscape painting, following the styles of Dong Yuan, Juran, Huang Gongwang, and Ni Zan. His brushwork was elegant and balanced, peaceful and spacious; his ink work was clear, refined, gentle, and subtle; his use of blue and green colors was simple and graceful. He used Chan Buddhism to interpret painting, promoted the 'Northern and Southern Schools' theory, and was a leading figure of the 'Huating School,' also admired for the beauty of his lines and forms ('Yan’s bones, Zhao’s posture'). Existing works include 'Rock Dwelling,' 'Eight Views of Autumn Sentiments,' 'Zhoujin Hall,' 'Bai Juyi’s Pipa Song,' 'Cursive Poetry Album,' and 'Colophon on Misty River and Layered Peaks.' The Guangdong Provincial Museum holds 16 of his paintings. His paintings and art theories had a major impact on the art world during the late Ming and early Qing periods. His calligraphy combined influences from the Jin and Tang dynasties yet developed its own style. An example is 'Xihong Tang Tie' (engraved copy). He was also quite skilled in poetry and prose, with works including 'Random Notes from the Studio of Painting and Zen' and 'Collected Works of Rongtai.'