Artist: Li Liufang (1575-1629)
Date: Ming (1368-1644)
Material: Ink and color on paper
Gift of Wu Shiming, Wu Shijin, Wu Shijian, and Wu Shiping
Li Liufang (1575-1629), also known by his zi (designated name) Changheng and his hao (literary names) Tanyuan and Shenyu Jushi, was a native of Nanxiang town in Jiading county (in present-day Shanghai). Recognized as one of the "Four Gentlemen of Jiading", he built the Tan Garden that was celebrated as the finest garden in Nanxiang. His painting style drew from Yuan dynasty masters. He was one of the "Nine Friends of Painting", a group that includes Dong Qichang. This work exhibits a gentle and elegant style. In the poem, "Zhonghe" refers to Gong Fangzhong, and "Shen Gonglu" to Shen Hongzheng, both of whom owned notable gardens. Today's Qiuxia Garden in Jiading incorporates the former gardens of the Gong and Shen families. "Biyu" refers to Song Jue, who resided in Jiading at the time. The group often gathered for literary exchanges in these gardens.
