Ink on paper 25.8*456cm

Zhang Ruitu (1570-1644), his zi (courtesy name) is Changgong and his hao (literary names) are Ershui, alias Guoting Jushi, Jieyuan Jushi and Baihao Anzhu. He was born in Jinjiang, Fujian province. His calligraphy is celebrated for its extraordinary and untrammeled spirit (qiyi). Ranked as one of the “Four Great Calligraphers of the Ming Dynasty,”he exerted a profound influence on the Japanese calligraphic world, where he is venerated as the “Water Star”(Suisei). His landscape paintings feature a robust and powerful structural framework (gu ge), complemented by light and ethereal dotting and washing. He was also adept at painting Buddhist figures. His masterpieces include The Calligraphy of Du Fu’s “Eight Poems on Autumn Musings.”