Artist
Xu Wei
Chinese, 1521–1593
Xu Wei was a Chinese artist. 1 work is cataloged here, principally at Metropolitan Museum of Art. Xu Wei was born in Shaoxing.
Xu Wei lived in 16th-century China, moving between cities as he chased his many interests. He was a painter, playwright, poet, and tea master—always juggling a few creative hats at once. He had a quick temper and a sharp tongue, which got him into trouble more than once. At 30, he tried to kill himself by drowning, failed, and spent years recovering. His later years were spent drifting, painting when he could.
Xu had a habit of painting with his fingers and the palms of his hands instead of brushes. He called it “flying white and splashing ink,” a messy, expressive way to work that left bold, uneven marks. His paintings feel alive with energy, like he painted in a hurry or in a fit of emotion.
Look for paintings where the ink bleeds and the brushstrokes wobble. His ink flowers seem to tremble on the page. His figures are drawn fast, their clothes and hair whipped by an unseen wind. Even when he painted bamboo or rocks, they look like they’re still moving.
Collections represented
Museum