The Four Great Masters of the Ming Dynasty

The Four Great Masters of the Ming Dynasty—Zhu Da (Bada Shanren), Shen Zhou, Tang Yin, and Qiu Ying—were influential Chinese painters of the 15th and 16th centuries. Zhu Da was known for expressive ink paintings and a rebellious spirit. Shen Zhou excelled in landscape and scholarly paintings, emphasizing natural beauty. Tang Yin combined poetic and artistic styles, producing refined artworks. Qiu Ying specialized in detailed, decorative figure paintings, often illustrating classical stories. Collectively, they represent the diversity and sophisticated mastery of Ming-era art, blending personal expression with academic tradition, and significantly shaping Chinese art's development.