Dong Qichang was born in 1555 and passed away in the year of 1636. Born in Huating County in Songjiang, he was a famous painter in the period of Ming Dynasty, lasting from 1368 to 1644. During Wanli period, he became a successful candidate in the highest imperial. He ever acted as an official when he was young but he resigned and returned to the hometown later. When you study in intensive Mandarin Chinese in China, you may be told that Dong QIchang was good at not only calligraphy but also painting, collecting and appreciation. Since his landscape painting was pure and fresh in style, he was regarded as the master of painting in Ming Dynasty.

In the aspect of calligraphy, the highest level was in grass writing. Many works of him had the style of the calligraphy of Yan Zhenqin in Tang Dynasty, lasting from 618 to 907, being characterized by the symmetrical overall arrangement. However, Dong Qichang loved his regular script most, especially the regular script in small characters. Of course, his works were also featured by combining the styles of many famous calligraphers in ancient China. With a profound influence, his calligraphy was regarded as the sample of learning until in the middle of Qing Dynasty, lasting from 1644 to 1911.

As a matter of fact, there are two types in his landscape painting, one of which is the ink and wash painting which was frequently seen at that time while another is the dark green color painting which was rarely seen. Teachers might tell you he attached much importance to learn the traditional techniques of the ancient people when they teach Mandarin Chinese. There was not so obvious change in themes but many attainments were unique in the application of brush pain and ink.

About the styles of the painting works, Dong Qichang often learned from the famous painters in Song Dynasty and Yuan Dynasty. Even though he often learned from the predecessors, he did not just learn it. On the basis of inheriting the styles of the former famous painters, he combined the accomplishment of brush pen and ink in calligraphy and painting way with brush pen in painting together. Therefore, he was skilled in using of brush pen in painting. Having a wide range of knowledge, Dong Qichang was a comprehensive expression of painting and calligraphy, enjoying great reputation in the history of fine arts in China.