The Hermit Xu You Resting by a Stream
1400s
Imagine turning down the job of Emperor because you'd rather hang out in the woods—that's exactly what the legendary hermit Xu You did, and Dai Jin captures his ultimate chill vibe here. Painted in the 1400s by the founder of the Ming Dynasty's Zhe School, this scroll shows Xu You taking a breather under a gnarled pine tree, with a farming tool tossed aside nearby. The towering, misty mountains in the background make his little rocky perch look like the perfect escape from court politics. Legend has it Xu You even washed his ears in a stream just to cleanse himself of worldly gossip, making him the original 'unplugged' influencer.