While Zhao was an enthusiastic advocate of synthesizing the spirit of the ancient masters into one's own work, in the historical development of the arts of the brush, he was surpassed as a theorist by the great calligrapher, painter, and connoisseur Dong Qichang (1555–1636) of the Ming dynasty (1368–1644). Dong expressed his ultimate realization of the relationship of art to nature in the following philosophical statement: If one considers the wonders of nature, then painting does not equal landscape. But if one considers the wonders of brushwork, then landscape does not equal painting. next page

Nymph of the Luo River Traditionally attributed to Gu Kaizhi, ca. 345–406 China, Southern Song dynasty, 12th–13th century Handscroll; ink and color on silk 310.0 x 24.0 cm (122 1/16 x 9 1/2 in.) Gift of Charles Lang Freer   F1914.53

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