The Four Masters of the Ming Dynasty

The Four Masters of the Ming Dynasty were four influential Chinese painters—Tang Yin, Shen Zhou, Qiu Ying, and Gao Heping—known for shaping the aesthetic and artistic standards of the period. Each brought unique styles, blending traditional Chinese themes with innovation. They excelled in landscape, figure, and flower-and-bird paintings, and their work influenced subsequent generations. Their contributions helped elevate Chinese painting to a highly refined art form, emphasizing personal expression, technical skill, and harmony with nature. They are celebrated as key figures that defined and advanced Ming-era Chinese art.