Pages from an album of flowers, birds, insect and fish, Qing Dynasty, 1688-89 (ink on...

Artist: Bada Shanren (Zhu Da) 八大山人 (朱耷) (1626-1705) Calligrapher: Fayi (late 17th century) In the early years of his secular life, Bada Shanren painted mainly for pleasure and often gave his works away as gifts. By the mid-1680s, however, his need for recognition and income drove him to become a professional artist working for hire. In addition to landscapes, Bada's favorite themes during this period cover subjects such as birds, fish, insects, flowers, bamboo, lotus, and other small plants and creatures. Throughout the decade, flat, angular brushwork utilizing the side hairs of the brush continued to characterize Bada's paintings and calligraphy. He also perfected his technique of layering ink by allowing the first application to almost dry before adding the next, creating a subtle texturing, tonal variation, and visual depth to his deceptively simple works.