Long Conversation in Green Shade

Wen Zhengming was one of the leading figures of a group of artists, known as the Wu school, which flourished during the Ming period around his hometown of Suzhou in southeastern China. Wen’s precocious talents in painting, calligraphy, poetry, and music earned him high esteem from his contemporaries. He pursued an intensive study of the subject of harmony between scholarly life and nature.

For this composition, Wen crystalizes the values of scholarly painting traditions in theme and execution. Two scholars seemingly engaged in a private conversation sit by a river at the foot of a mountain. To render this scene, he used a spare approach, combining economic, dry brushwork with limited tonal variation.

After a brief, unsatisfying stint in Ming court politics, Wen returned to his hometown and dedicated his life to scholarly pursuits. Wen’s influence in painting has lasted hundreds of years. Those inspired by his philosophy and painting style include his son Wen Jia.