Bamboo and rock

Zheng Xie (1693 - 1765) was particularly adept at drawing bamboos. This painting was done with a unique technique combining painting and calligraphy. The bamboo trunks, stems and leaves are lean but strong, demonstrating the playfulness and spontaneity of a man of letters. He once said, "(These) are actually bamboos that exist in my mind, and not those in my eyes". In other words, he did not base his paintings purely on what he saw in front of him. Zheng's application of ink was very varied, using both saturated and dry brushes. His bamboos are slender but strong and upright, elegant and straightforward.