【正确答案】Paintings of Ming Dynasty
In the dynasty of Ming(1368—1644), thanks to its social, political and economic stability, culture and art were so advanced that there appeared some region-centered celebrated painters and schools with distinct painting systems. During that period, all the painting categories have got all-round development.
In the mid-term of Ming dynasty(1506—1620), with the development of industry and commerce, Suzhou, a textile industry center, gradually developed into a prosperous metropolis in the regions south of the Yangtze River. The culture was flourishing and there was also a galaxy of scholars. The painters here became the main force of the painting circles. Many literati and officialdom travelling around entertained themselves with painting and inherited and developed the tradition of literati painting with focus on interest and significance of ink and wash. Among some well-known painters are Shen Zhou, Wen Zhengming, Tang Yin and Qiu Yin.
The painting in Ming Dynasty concentrated on traditional landscape, flowers and birds while there were scarce figure paintings which only depicted portrait and funny life of emperor and empress. Till the late Ming dynasty(approximately 1628— 1644), some fresh changes were around the corner. Xu Wei further improved the ink painting, freehand brush work, bird-and-flower painting. His painting characterized by directly expressing his feelings thus producing inspiring artistic appeal.
------Excerpts from Chinese Painting