Yao Shou 姚綬

Yao Shou (1423–1495) was a Chinese painter and calligrapher during the Ming dynasty. He was associated with the Wu School, a group of literati artists known for their scholarly approach to painting and calligraphy, emphasizing personal expression and traditional techniques. Yao Shou was renowned for his landscape paintings, which often depicted serene natural scenes imbued with a sense of poetic tranquility. His work contributed to the development of literati painting, a movement that valued the artist's personal expression over formal representation. Throughout his life, Yao Shou held various official positions, which allowed him to interact with other prominent scholars and artists of his time, further influencing his artistic style. His legacy is marked by his ability to blend the classical traditions of Chinese painting with his own innovative interpretations.