Artist: Zhang Zhong (active in 1335-1368)

Date: Yuan (1271-1368)

Dimensions: Height 64.6 cm, Width 26.6 cm

Material: Ink and color on paper

• Object Type：
  • PAINTINGS
• Location：
  • The Painting and Calligraphy of Shanghai Gallery
• Tag：
  • wusong river spring hanging scroll zhang zhong yuan ink and color paper

Zhang Zhong, also known by his alternative name Zhang Shouzhong and his zi (designated name) Zizheng, was a native of Wunijing in Shanghai county (in present-day Huajing county, Xuhui, Shanghai). He was active during the Zhiyuan and Zhizheng eras (1335-1368). He learned after Huang Gongwang for landscape paintings. He and Wang Yuan were the pioneers of ink flower painting and ink bird painting during the Yuan dynasty. This hanging scroll employs Huang Gongwang's brush techniques, exuding calmness and restraint with sparse brushstrokes. The painting bears Ni Zan's poem that reveals the scene as a spring view of the Wusong River. "Zhang Jun" refers to Zhang Zhong. The work was later misattributed to Ni Zan after its original signature was cut, leading Wang Zhideng and Dong Qichang to mistake it for Ni's imitation of Huang Gongwang's style, as noted in their inscriptions on the mounting.

【Special Exhibition】 An Everlasting Spring: The Art of Painting and Calligraphy in Shanghai