Weng Cheng-ming

Unsigned.

Original: Color and Ink on Paper. Size: 94.3cm. by 33.3cm. Wallscroll

　Weng Cheng-ming (1470~1559) was a native of Ch'ang-chou, Kiangsu. Originally Wen Cheng-ming's name was Pi and his style name Cheng-ming. Later he was known by his style name. Yet another style name was Cheng-chung. His other names were T'ing-yun-sheng and Heng-shan hermit. As a devotee of art, he studied closely many of the old masters, but his originality should not be overlooked. He first received guidance from Shen Chou, yet his landscapes differed radically from those of his master, while, in his pictures of plants and birds, one never fails to see a style that was all his own. In his old age, he was held in veneration all over the country, as a great artist and perfect gentleman. He was also famous for his achievements in calligraphy.