Yakshas Lifting the Bowl

Wang Zhenpeng [Wang Chen-p¡¯eng; zi Pengmei; hao Guyun Chushi]
(b Yongjia, Zhejiang Province, c. 1280; d c. 1329). Chinese painter. He was the most famous exponent of ¡®boundary painting¡¯ ( jiehua), which is characterized by precision and accuracy, especially in the depiction of architectural details, usually achieved with a ruler. He served at the Yuan court in Beijing and became known to the emperor, Renzong (reg 1312¨C21), who bestowed on him the name Guyun Chushi (¡®The Hermit of Lonely Clouds¡¯). Appointed an official in the fifth rank, he served in the Imperial Library, thus having an opportunity to view many of the paintings and books in that collection, sometimes even making copies of the paintings. He painted many works of interest to the Emperor and the court, such as famous palaces of the past, well-known pavilions and buildings, activities in the court and historical and Buddhist figures, all executed in extremely fine lines without colour.