Bamboo
Wen T'ung (fl. late 11th 
century)
Sung Dynasty
(A.D. 960-1279)
Ink on silk. Hanging scroll. 
131.6 x 105.4cm
     Wen T'ung, a native 
of Szechwan province, is 
famous for his paintings 
of bamboo.  Later people 
referred to his works as 
the Hu-chou school.
     This painting depicts a 
branch of bamboo curving 
downward  like  a  tautly-
arched bow. The joints of 
bamboo  dovetail  neatly 
into one another with no 
additional outlines.  The 
leaves  are  like  angry 
sword blades, thrusting 
backward and forward.  The 
brush strokes are pure and 
thick, with a spirit that is 
surprising.  Tung  Ch'i-
ch'ang was correct in his 
statement that the bamboos 
of Wen T'ung's school are 
strong, rigid, and well-
planned in structure.