Wu or Wumen School () is a group of painters of the
Southern School
The Southern School () of Chinese painting, often called " literati painting" (), is a term used to denote art and artists which stand in opposition to the formal Northern School () of painting. The distinction is not geographic, but relates to ...
during the
Ming
The Ming dynasty (), officially the Great Ming, was an Dynasties in Chinese history, imperial dynasty of China, ruling from 1368 to 1644 following the collapse of the Mongol Empire, Mongol-led Yuan dynasty. The Ming dynasty was the last ort ...
period of
Chinese history
The earliest known written records of the history of China date from as early as 1250 BC, from the Shang dynasty (c. 1600–1046 BC), during the reign of king Wu Ding. Ancient historical texts such as the ''Book of Documents'' (early chapter ...
. It was not an academy or educational institution, but rather a group united largely by the artistic theories of its members. Often classified as
Literati, scholars, or amateur painters (as opposed to professionals), members idealized the concepts of personalizing works and integrating the artists into the art. A Wu School painting is characterized by inscriptions describing the painting, the date, method, or reason for the work, which is usually seen as a vehicle for personal expression.
Shen Zhou
Shen Zhou (, 1427–1509), courtesy names Qi'nan () and Shitian (), was a Chinese painter in the Ming dynasty. He lived during the post-transition period of the Yuan conquest of the Ming. Luckily, his family worked closely with the government an ...
(1427–1509) is usually cited as the founder of the Wu School.
The
Zhe School is usually referenced in opposition to the Wu School.
See also
*
Chinese painting
Chinese painting () is one of the oldest continuous artistic traditions in the world. Painting in the traditional style is known today in Chinese as ''guó huà'' (), meaning "national painting" or "native painting", as opposed to Western style ...
*
Southern School
The Southern School () of Chinese painting, often called " literati painting" (), is a term used to denote art and artists which stand in opposition to the formal Northern School () of painting. The distinction is not geographic, but relates to ...
of which the Wu School is a part
*
Zhe School - another group within the Southern School
References
*''The Arts of China, Fourth Edition, Expanded and Revised'' by
Michael Sullivan (
University of California Press
The University of California Press, otherwise known as UC Press, is a publishing house associated with the University of California that engages in academic publishing. It was founded in 1893 to publish scholarly and scientific works by faculty ...
) 1997
External links
Wu School Painters and Galleriesat China Online Museum
Ming dynasty painting
Art movements in Chinese painting
{{China-painter-stub