Kuncan 髡殘

Kuncan (髡殘), born in 1612 and deceased in 1673, was a Chinese painter and poet associated with the Qing Dynasty. He was a prominent figure in the "Individualist" movement, which emerged during the transition from the Ming to the Qing Dynasty, characterized by a personal and expressive style that diverged from traditional academic norms. Kuncan was originally a Buddhist monk, which deeply influenced his artistic and philosophical outlook, infusing his works with a meditative and introspective quality. His paintings often depicted landscapes imbued with a sense of solitude and spiritual reflection, contributing significantly to the development of literati painting. Kuncan's legacy lies in his ability to convey profound emotional depth and individuality, inspiring subsequent generations of artists to explore personal expression within their work.