The Painting of T'ang Yin

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This richly illustrated volume documents the art and career of the sixteenth-century Chinese master T'ang Yin, one of the four great painters of the middle Ming period. Born into the merchant class, T'ang Yin transcended his origins to join the elite scholarly circle in Suchou. After losing his academic degrees, he was compelled to paint for a living, becoming a social anomaly whose lifestyle defied contemporary conventions. His experiences illuminate the challenges faced by a painter navigating the roles of elite Confucian scholar and professional artist. Anne De Coursey Clapp's work delves into broader issues of Ming painting, examining the social and intellectual values of Suchou, the patronage system, and the divide between professional and amateur artists. Clapp highlights T'ang Yin's role in reviving Sung dynasty styles, tracing his studies of ancient and contemporary masters. She reveals how he transformed these styles into expressive works, particularly in landscapes and floral subjects, while also addressing the influence of art patrons on artistic production. Clapp analyzes the significance of painting as a social exchange in ancient China, particularly commemorative painting's role in shaping the ideal scholarly man. Her exploration of T'ang Yin's career reveals his alignment with professional artists in certain genres and with amateurs in others, suggesting a deliberate effort to appeal to a broader market. Illus