Xia Chang

Xia Chang spent most of his life in the Ming dynasty, working as a painter and a government official in China. His original name was Zhu Chang, but he went by Xia Chang later. He’s best known for painting bamboo.

Xia loved bamboo so much that he often wrote poems about it alongside his paintings. He didn’t just paint the plant—he studied how bamboo grows, how its leaves bend in the wind, and how its stems twist. His paintings show bamboo in different seasons, sometimes with rain or mist, making them feel alive. He used soft ink washes to create depth, a technique called *splashed ink* that gives his work a natural, effortless look.

If you see a painting with bamboo that looks like it’s swaying or feels full of movement, it’s likely Xia’s work. He didn’t sign many of his pieces, but his style is so distinct that experts can recognize it right away. Xia wasn’t just an artist—he was also a scholar, blending poetry and painting in a way that made his work stand out.