EIGHT MASTERS OF NANKING

WadeGiles romanization Chin-ling Pa-chia, Pinyin Jinling Bajia, group of Chinese artists who lived and worked during the late 17th century in Nanking (known as Chin-ling during the early T'ang dynasty, 618907). Although their group identity derives largely from the locale in which they worked, certain aesthetic similarities are discernible: their paintings, usually landscapes, are often uneven in quality and rather rustic. The outstanding artist of the group, Kung Hsien (q.v.), is known particularly for his dense, moist landscapes, which are virtually unique in the history of Chinese painting. Others of the group include Fan Ch'i, Kao Ts'en, Tsou Che, Wu Hung, Hu Tsao, Yeh Hsien, and Hsieh Sun. Little is known of most of these artists, and relatively few paintings survive.