Liang Kai

Liang Kai (Chinese: 梁楷; pinyin: Liáng Kǎi; c. 1140 - c. 1210)[1] was a Chinese painter of the Southern Song Dynasty. He was also known as Madman Liang because of his very informal pictures. He was born in Shandong and worked in Lin An (later Hangzhou).[2] He is known to have studied with the master Jia Shigu.[3] He was awarded the rank of Painter-in-Attendance at the court of Jia Tai (1201-1204 CE, Southern Song Dynasty) where he was known for mastery in painting figures, landscapes, and other minor subjects.[2] He was also awarded the Golden Belt, however he left it behind when he left his position at court to practise Chan Buddhism.[4]

Sixth Chan Patriarch Chopping Bamboo, early 13th century. Hanging scroll, Tokyo National Museum.
  1. ^ Glum, Peter (1985). "The Two-Faced Budai". Arts Asiatiques. 40: 107–116. doi:10.3406/arasi.1985.1185. ISSN 0004-3958. JSTOR 43485392.
  2. ^ a b Shen, Zhiyu (1981). The Shanghai Museum of Art. New York: Harry N. Abrams, Inc. pp. 223–224. ISBN 0-8109-1646-0.
  3. ^ Loehr, Max (1980). The Great Painters of China. Oxford: Phaidon Press. pp. 215–216. ISBN 0-7148-2008-3.
  4. ^ "Liang Kai Paintings | Chinese Art Gallery | China Online Museum". www.chinaonlinemuseum.com. Retrieved 2020-03-26.