The relationship between Wen Tong and Su Shi
Wen, born in Mianyang, Sichuan, was a painter, poet and official in the Northern Song Dynasty. He once served as Dr. Taichang, school captain of Jixian County, and magistrate of Yangzhou County. Wen Tong had high achievements in painting, calligraphy, poetry, etc., especially bamboo painting. His cousin Su Shi is also a lover of bamboo, and they have a very good relationship in admiring each other.
Wen Tong's works
There are 40 volumes of Danyuan Collection, 2 volumes of supplementary works, etc. There are very few paintings handed down from generation to generation, and the ink bamboo painting in the National Palace Museum in Taipei is authentic.
This picture uses fallen bamboo as the main body, with dense branches and leaves, and many new branches in the stem. The stems, joints, branches, and leaves are all ink paintings, which are full of interest. A trade that involves bending, hiding, and trying. The author's purpose for his paintings is to vent his feelings and express his thoughts.
Miffy once commented on Wen Tong's paintings: dark ink for the face, light ink for the back, self-enlightenment.
In addition, Wen Yanbo, Sima Guang, Su Shi and others were full of praise for him.
The relationship between Wen Tong and Su Shi
Su Shi
Wen Tong and Su Shi should be cousins, and Su Shi claims to be Wen Tong's subordinate cousin. The relationship between them is very good. Plus, both of them really like bamboo. When Wenshan painted bamboo, Su Shi said it would be better to eat without meat than live without bamboo. It is said that Professor Su Dongpo Wentong taught the techniques of ancient Chinese painting.
When Wen was the magistrate of Yangzhou, there were bamboo forests all over the mountains and plains, and sometimes he would only eat bamboo shoots for dinner. Once, while eating, I received a letter from Su Shi. In addition to greetings and asking for warmth as usual, he also wrote a poem: Han Dao bamboo is as cheap as Peng. How can a golden ax forgive a dragon? He was poor and greedy for the governor, and Wei Chuan had thousands of acres in his chest. After reading the article, I laughed out loud and sprayed rice all over the table. He said frankly: There is no confidant in the world, only his son knows my beauty.
In 1079 AD, Wen Tong was transferred to Huzhou Prefecture, but died of illness. After Su Shi learned about it, he stroked a bamboo painting album given to him by Wen Tong and burst into tears.