Wu School

Wu or Wumen School (Chinese: 吴门画派) is a group of painters of the Southern School during the Ming period of Chinese history. It was not an academy or educational institution, but rather a group united largely by the artistic theories of its members. Often classified as Literati, scholars, or amateur painters (as opposed to professionals), members idealized the concepts of personalizing works and integrating the artists into the art. A Wu School painting is characterized by inscriptions describing the painting, the date, method, or reason for the work, which is usually seen as a vehicle for personal expression. Shen Zhou (1427–1509) is usually cited as the founder of the Wu School.

The Zhe School is usually referenced in opposition to the Wu School.

References

The Arts of China, Fourth Edition, Expanded and Revised by Michael Sullivan (University of California Press) 1997

External links

Wu School Painters and Galleries at China Online Museum

Ming dynasty topics

History

Early (1368–1435)	Red Turban Rebellion Wu Mian rebellion Ming conquest of Yunnan Ming–Mong Mao War Campaign against the Uriankhai Battle of Buir Lake Lin Kuan rebellion Dao Ganmeng rebellion Jingnan campaign Ming treasure voyages Ming–Turpan conflict Ming–Đại Ngu War Battle of Palembang Battle of Kherlen Ming–Kotte War Lam Sơn uprising Campaigns against the Mongols Reign of Ren and Xuan
Middle (1435–1572)	Luchuan–Pingmian campaigns Tumu Crisis Defense of Beijing Rebellion of Cao Qin Miao rebellions Prince of Anhua rebellion Prince of Ning rebellion Capture of Malacca Japanese missions to Ming China Ningbo Incident Great Rites Controversy Renyin plot Luso-Chinese agreement Jiajing wokou raids Single whip law
Late (1572–1683)	Jianzhou war Bozhou rebellion Ordos campaign Japanese invasions of Korea Donglin movement Sino-Dutch conflicts Liaoluo Bay Transition from Ming to Qing Jurchen unification Seven Grievances Sarhū Great Plague She-An Rebellion Peasant rebellions Jiashen Incident Shanhai Pass Southern Ming Kingdom of Tungning