Discussing Antiquity by 
the River
Tung Ch'i-ch'ang
(A.D. 1555-1636)
Ming Dynasty
Ink on paper. Hanging scroll.
80.0 x 29.8cm
         Tung Ch'i-ch'ang 
was a native of Hua-t'ing, 
Kiangsu.  His style name 
was   Hsuan-tsai;   his 
sobriquet  was  Ssu-pai.  
A chin-shih of A.D. 1588, 
he   ultimately   became 
President of the Board of 
Rites.  Tung Ch'i-ch'ang 
excelled in both calligraphy 
and painting; his landscapes 
were elegant and refined.  
He    succeeded    in 
establishing his own style.
     In his inscription, Tung 
Ch'i-ch'ang states that he 
was inspired to paint the 
picture after discussing 
antiquity with some friends.  
His use of brush and ink is 
extremely cultivated; not 
one brush stroke lacks a 
sense of life.