Hongren

CHINA, Anhui, Huangshan; Ming to Qing dynasty

Hongren, originally named Jiang Tao, was a monk and painter from Shexian county in Huangshan. He was ordained under Chan Master Guhang Daozhou at Wuyishan in 1647. Known for his expertise in poetry, calligraphy, and painting, his keenness for depicting the blooms of plums earned him the title Monk of Plum Blossoms. Alongside Shixi, Bada Shanren, and Shitao, he was renowned as one of the Four Eminent Monks of the late Ming (1368–1644) and early Qing (1644–1911) dynasties in Chinese painting history.
Specializing in landscapes, Hongren studied painting under Xiao Yuncong, and emulated the styles of Huang Gongwang and Ni Zan. His landscape paintings were primarily of the natural scenery surrounding the towering ranges of Huangshan and Qiyunshan in Anhui. Using a sparse ink brush to create a chapped effect, Hongren’s brushwork is natural, and his compositions are refreshing and succinct. Also, in addition to being skilled in clerical and seal script calligraphy, his verses and poetry were known to be innovative. Hongren’s works are widely circulated and include Landscape in Autumn, kept at the Honolulu Academy of Arts in Hawaii, USA; and Valley of Jiuxi Peak at the Shanghai Museum.