Shitao Paintings

Shitao, also known as Daoji, was an influential Chinese painter during the early Qing Dynasty. Born into the Ming royal family as Zhu Ruoji in 1642 in Quanzhou County in Guangxi province, he became a monk after the fall of the Ming dynasty and adopted the name Shitao. He is well-known for his innovative approach to painting, which demonstrated a departure from the rigid formalism of his predecessors. Shitao's life was marked by the political upheaval of the transition period from the Ming to the Qing dynasty. This influenced his perspective on life and art, leading him to adopt various styles throughout his career. In his early years, he traveled extensively throughout China, which broadened his vision and influenced his painting style. His works often reflect a combination of personal expression and traditional techniques, and he is renowned for his 'one-corner' composition. His artistic philosophy was deeply rooted in Daoist principles, which is evident in his pseudonym 'Shitao' which means 'Stone Wave.' He believed in the unity of all things and that the artist's spirit should penetrate the work of art. Shitao's most notable contribution to Chinese art is his treatise 'Hua Pu' ('The Painting Manual'), where he introduced the concept of 'yi hua', meaning 'one-stroke painting,' which emphasizes the importance of the artist's brushwork and the spiritual expression within a single stroke. Shitao's influence on later artists was profound, and his works became celebrated for their originality and expressiveness. His legacy is evident in the ways in which he inspired subsequent generations of artists to break free from traditional constraints and to pursue more personal and expressive styles of painting. He passed away in 1707, leaving behind a body of work that continues to be studied and admired for its vitality and innovation.