Cui Zizhong

CHINA, Shandong, Yantai; Ming dynasty

Cui Zizhong, also known as Cui Dan or Daomu, was an artist born in Laiyang, Yantai. He later resided in Shuntianfu (present day Beijing). Cui was well-versed in classical Chinese writing, including the Five Classics.
Cui modeled his paintings after the styles of well-known artists Gu Kaizhi, Yan Liben, and Wu Daozi, but ultimately sought his own creativity and innovation. He enjoyed the same reputation as Chen Hongshou, and together they were reputed as Southern Chen and Northern Cui. His paintings included Inquiring About the Way, collected at the Palace Museum in Beijing, Buddha and Disciples, kept at the Shanghai Museum, and Washing the Elephants and Su Shi Loses His Belt, retained at the National Palace Museum in Taipei, Taiwan.