Four Wangs


The Four Wangs were four Chinese landscape painters in the 17th century, all called Wang. They are best known for their accomplishments in shan shui painting.

The painters

They were Wang Shimin, Wang Jian, Wang Hui and Wang Yuanqi. They were members of the group known as the Six Masters of the early Qing period.

Philosophy

The Four Wangs represented the so-called "orthodox school" of painting at the time. The school was based on the teachings of Dong Qichang. It was “orthodox” in the Confucian sense of continuing traditional modes.