Chao Meng-fu

Signed

Original: Ink on Paper. Size: 22.7 cm by 49 cm. Album Leaf.

　Chao Meng-fu (1254-1322), whose style name was Tzu-ang, was related to Prince Ch'in, an eleventh generation descendant of the Sung Emperor T'ai-tsu. Chao Meng-fu was a native of Wu-hsing, Chekiang, After the fall of the Sung dynasty, he served under the Mongol Yüan rulers, holding the office of Scholar in the Han-lin Academy. Later he was enfeoffed as Duke of the State of Wei. Chao Meng-fu's natural talents were outstanding. When composing literary works he was able to express his ideas rapidly. His paintings of landscapes, plants, birds, horses and human figures were all excellent. The Ming critic Tung Ch'i-ch'ang once said, "Chao Meng-fu had the grace of the T'ang artists without their meticulousness, and the strength of the Sung masters without their coarseness." Aside from being a very famous painter, he was also an eminent calligrapher. His calligraphy encompassed the running, draft, seal and clerical scripts. Chao Meng-fu's calligraphy was superlative. He spoke of the basic unity of calligraphy and painting, thereby beginning a new style.