Xiao Yuncong

Chinese, 1596-1673

Xiao Yuncong was a famed Chinese landscape painter, calligrapher, and poet during the late Ming and early Qing dynasties.

Xiao was born in Wuhu in Anhui province, at that time part of Taiping Prefecture. His style name was 'Chimu' (尺木) and his pseudonym was 'Wumen Daoren' (无闷道人). Later in life he acquired the pseudonyms 'Zhongshan Laoren' (中山老人) and 'Anhui Wuhuren' (安徽芜湖人). Xiao was known for his landscape paintings such as the Taiping shanshui tuhua (太平山水图画) which used dry and twisting brushstrokes called gui shu pai (姑熟派). He did not follow any previous artist's style. In calligraphy, he produced the work Mei Hua Tang Posthumous manuscript (梅花堂遗稿). He remained a lifelong Ming dynasty supporter.