Wen Zhengming was the most influential Suzhou artist of the sixteenth century. Since then, he has been regarded as one of the most celebrated scholar-artists in the history of Chinese calligraphy and painting. 

The concept of jia in China is a complex one. It can mean family, but also school or style. The Chinese expression zi cheng yi jia, “formed an own jia (style of ones own)”, holds true for Wen Zhengming. His students included his own sons and grandsons. Indeed, the Wen family boasted a long lineage of eminent artists.

This presentation exhibits works from six generations of the prominent Wen family as well as some of their closest friends, highlighting their prodigious artistic production and Wen Zhengming’s legacy. 

Curator

The exhibition is curated by Birgitta Augustin.

A temporary presentation by the Museum für Asiatische Kunst of the Staatliche Museen zu Berlin in the Humboldt Forum, Room 319, “Artists and Connoisseurs”