This is the caption of image number 1Wu Wei (1459-1508), Ming dynasty (1368-1644)
Undated, hanging scroll, ink on silk, 138.6 × 81 cm

A native of Jiangxia (today's Wuhan, Hubei Province), Wu Wei studied painting from a very early age. He moved to Nanjing at the age of seventeen and was highly favored by the officials. He was twice summoned into the Palace, and given official posts such as Judge in the Imperial Bodyguard (jinyiwei zhenfu). The emperor bestowed upon him the title "The Topmost Painter" (hua zhuangyuan). Yet a person of uninhibited temperament, he was unwilling to be controlled by the court. Thus he settled in Nanjing and made a living by selling his paintings. Well versed in landscape and figure painting, he modeled his landscape paintings after Dai Jin (1388-1462) and inherited the legacies of the "Academy style" of the Southern Song dynasty (1127-1279). Based on previous legacies, he developed a highly individualistic style featuring simple, uninhibited imagery, epitomizing the styles of various ancient masters. Many of his early figure paintings feature meticulous line drawing, resembling the style of Northern Song (960-1127) painter Li Gongling (1049-1106). Later he painted many ink monochrome landscapes with minimal and unrestrained brushstrokes, which originate from the works by Southern Song Academy masters Ma Yuan (act. before 1189-after 1225) and Xia Gui (act. early 13th c.) as well as the "abbreviated brush" (jianbi) style. After Dai Jin, he is considered the most prominent master of the "Zhe school". His paintings reinforced the popularity of vigorous and imposing brush strokes and ink-splashing techniques. Later, many disciples of the "Zhe school" modeled their paintings after Wu Wei, resulting in widespread popularity of his style.
  An immortal is depicted standing under a tree, unfolding a scroll featuring Taiji, or the Great Ultimate, which is represented by a full circle with radiating ink washes alluding to the primal chaos. The mysterious smile probably suggests his understanding of the Great Ultimate through mediation. The slightly bald immortal is portrayed in a humorous and vivid way with squinting eyes, bulbous nose, and curving up lips. (Editor:admin)