Shen Zhou (1427-1509) was an outstanding painter in the Ming Dynasty. His courtesy name was Qinan, and his pseudonyms were Shitian, Baishiweng, Yutiansheng, and Youjuzhujuzhuzhu. He was born in Changzhou (now Suzhou, Jiangsu). He was kind-hearted, knowledgeable, and good at literature. He was also good at poetry and painting. He was good at painting landscapes, flowers, birds, beasts, insects, and fish, all of which were extremely wonderful. He often embellished his paintings with a few strokes, which was very interesting. He also often wrote poems on his paintings. People at that time called him “Mr. Erjue”. He followed Huang Daji and Wu Zhen in painting and had his own style. He was also good at painting flowers and birds with ink, and was known as the “Wu School” together with his student Wen Zhengming. He was also known as the “Four Masters of the Ming Dynasty” together with Wen Zhengming, Tang Yin, and Qiu Ying. Every time he painted a picture, he would touch the moss with his brush, and he would never do it in a perfunctory way. He was able to imitate the ancients in many aspects, and added his own creations, and also incorporated the brushwork of Ermi. He was good at using thick brushes, which were round, strong, thick and concise. He was influenced by famous artists from the Song and Yuan dynasties and was extremely cautious in his creative attitude.
沈周(1427-1509)明代杰出画家。字启南，号石田，又号白石翁、玉田生、有居竹居主人等。长洲(今江苏苏州)人。性情敦厚、博学多才，长于文学，亦工诗画，善画山水、花卉、鸟兽、虫鱼，皆极神妙。常草草点缀，即得意趣。亦常题诗词于画上，当时人称他为“二绝先生”。画宗黄大疾、吴镇，自成一家笔法。亦工墨笔花鸟，和他的学生文征明并称为“吴派”两大家。又与文征明、唐寅、仇英称“明四家”。他每画一画，落笔点苔，绝不苟且。他能从多方面摹习古人，又加自己的创造，更参以二米的笔趣，善用粗笔，圆润挺劲，厚重凝炼。出入于宋元名家，创作态度极为慎重。
沈周·《题画》
白云如带束山腰，石磴飞空细路遥；
独倚杖藜舒眺望，欲因鸣涧答吹箫。
Inscribed on a Painting
Shen Chou
White clouds, like a belt, wind around the waist of the mountains;
A path narrow and long soars into the void, off a stony ledge.
Alone, I lean on a thornwood staff and gaze peacefully into the distance;
Wishing to respond with my flute playing to the singing of the mountain stream.
