Ink on paper 167.2*44.8 cm

Xi Gang (1746-1803), was also known by his zi (courtesy names) Tiesheng and Chunzhang and his hao (literary names) Mengkan and also known by the signature Hezhusheng. A native of Xin’an (Modern-day She County, Anhui province), he resided in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province. He was a polymath who excelled in poetry, prose, painting, calligraphy and epigraphy. He was accomplished in all four major calligraphic scripts. He is counted among the Xiling Four (or Eight) Masters of Epigraphy and Seal Carving and, together with Fang Xun, was celebrated as one of the “Two Eminent Recluses of Western Zhejiang.” In painting, he is associated with the Loudong School. His representative works include his painting Practicing Calligraphy in a Plantain Grove(Jiaolin xueshu tu).