or Wen Cheng-ming
born 1470, Suzhou, Jiangsu province, China
died 1559
Chinese painter, calligrapher, and scholarly figure.
Born to an established family, Wen Zhengming was by nature sensitive and withdrawn, and it was not until age 53 that he emerged from his scholarly isolation, receiving the recognition of the court with his appointment to the Hanlin Academy. He stayed there for only three years and then retired to produce his best-known works. He was expert at the four major styles of calligraphy: seal, official, regular, and "running." In all his paintings there is a spirit of studied antiquarianism and cautious consideration. In technique, Wen Zhengming's paintings range from the highly detailed to the more freely washed. Along with his teacher, Shen Zhou, he was a leading figure of the Wu school of scholar-artists.