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Mi Fu

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
In this Chinese name, the family name is Mi.

Mi Fu
Mi Fu as depicted in a 1107 painting by Chao Buzhi
Chinese name
Chinese米芾
Traditional Chinese米芾
Simplified Chinese米芾
Transcriptions
Standard Mandarin
Hanyu PinyinMǐ Fú
Wade–GilesMi Fu
Yue: Cantonese
JyutpingMei5 Fat1
Middle Chinese
Middle ChineseMieiB Pjwǝt
Korean name
Hangul미불
Transcriptions
McCune–ReischauerMi Bul
Japanese name
Hiraganaべいふつ
Transcriptions
RomanizationBei Futsu

Mi Fu (Chinese: 米芾; 1051–1107)[1] was a Chinese painter, poet, calligrapher, and art theorist during the Early Song Dynasty. Born in Taiyuan, he was known for his misty landscape paintings, which consisted of broad, wet ink dots applied with a flat brush. This technique, later known as the "Mi Fu Style", significantly influenced Chinese painting. His poetry and calligraphy were inspired by Li Bai and Wang Xizhi, respectively.[2]

Mi Fu is considered one of the four most influential calligraphers of the Song dynasty, along with Su Shi, Huang Tingjian, and Cai Xiang. His major works include Zhang Jiming Tie (張季明帖), Li Taishi Tie (李太師帖), Zijin Yan Tie (紫金研帖), and Danmo Qiushan Shitie (淡墨秋山詩帖). Among these, Shu Su Tie (蜀素帖), also known as Nigu Shitie (擬古詩帖), is an important work in running script calligraphy. Mi Fu described his calligraphy as "a collection of ancient characters", indicating his style was rooted in tradition; yet he developed distinctive features. His artistic style was also adopted by his son, Mi Youren, who became known for interpreting his father's techniques, particularly the use of large, wet ink dots, known as "Mi Dots".[3]

Beyond his artistic achievements, Mi Fu was reportedly known for his eccentricity and meticulous attitude.[3]

Biography

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Mountains and Pines in Spring (detail), National Palace Museum (Taipei)

Some historical sources trace Mi Fu's ancestry to ''Mi Xin'', a Later Zhou and Early Song Dynasty general associated with the Kumo Xi, a tribe believed to have descended from the Xianbei.[4][5] Some scholars suggest his family may have had distant Sogdian heritage, though this is debated. The surname "Mi" may have Sogdian origins, coinciding with a period when Sogdian merchants and settlers formed communities within China.[6][7]

Mi Fu showed an early interest in arts and letters and possessed strong memory skills. His mother worked as a midwife and later as a wet-nurse, looking after Emperor Shenzong.[8] This connection led Mi Fu to spend part of his early life in the royal court.[9]

He began his civil service career as a Reviser of Books in the imperial library. He then served in three posts outside the capital of Kaifeng, in Henan province. In 1103, he was appointed Doctor of Philosophy and served briefly as the Military Governor of Wuwei in Anhui province.[8]

In 1104, he returned to the capital to serve as Professor of Painting and Calligraphy, and later Secretary to the Board of Rites. His final post was as Military Governor of Huaiyang.[8]

Mi Fu collected old writings and paintings as his family wealth diminished.[citation needed] His collection grew in value, partly through inheritance. His collection was arranged in two parts: one kept secret and shown only to a select few, and another one to guests.[citation needed]

In his later years, Mi Fu became fond of the Helin Temple (鶴林寺) on Mount Huanghe (黃鶴山) in Jiangsu and requested to be buried at its gate. Although the temple is gone, his grave remains.[10]

Mi Fu had five sons, of whom only two survived infancy and eight daughters.[8] His elder son, Mi Youren, was also a Chinese calligrapher.

Historical background

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Mi Fu Memorial Temple in Xiangyang

Mi Fu often expressed his views, even when they differed from prevailing beliefs or official opinions. His notes on painting and calligraphy are considered valuable by art historians.[11]

Art

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Calligraphy by Mi Fu, ink on paper, collection of the Tokyo National Museum

Mi Fu is associated with the Southern School of landscape painting, though the extent of his direct contributions remains debated. Several paintings are attributed to him, but some scholars question their authenticity. While his contributions to landscape painting are noted, Mi Fu is primarily remembered for his calligraphy and influence as an art critic and writer.[12]

For Mi Fu writing or calligraphy was connected with composing poetry or sketching. He believed an alertness of mind for these activities was best achieved through the enjoyment of wine. Su Shi admired Mi Fu and wrote that his brush was like a sharp sword or a bow that could shoot an arrow a thousand li.[13]

Poems in Wuzi's Boat (Part), ink on paper, private collection in New York

Mi Fu's book Huashi ("History of Painting") contains hints as to the proper way of collecting, preserving, cleaning, and mounting pictures.[14]

See also

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Citations

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  1. ^ Barnhart: 373. He was born with the name 米黻, also pronounced Mi Fu. His courtesy name was Yuanzhang (元章) with several sobriquets: Nangong (南宮), Lumen Jushi (鹿門居士), Xiangyang Manshi (襄陽漫士), and Haiyue Waishi (海岳外史)
  2. ^ 脱脱 (June 1985). 宋史·列傳·卷二〇三 [History of the Song Dynasty, Biographies, Volume 203] (in Chinese). Zhonghua Book Company. ISBN 9787101003239.
  3. ^ a b Sturman, Peter Charles (1997). Mi Fu: Style and the Art of Calligraphy in Northern Song China. Yale University Press. p. 214. ISBN 978-0-300-06569-5. Retrieved 5 September 2022.
  4. ^ Sturman, Peter Charles (1997). Mi Fu. Yale University Press. p. 56. ISBN 978-0-300-06569-5.
  5. ^ Kessler, Adam Theodore (2012). Song Blue and White Porcelain on the Silk Road. Brill. p. 202. ISBN 9789004218598.
  6. ^ Kaikodo (Gallery : New York, N.Y.), Sarah Handler (1999). 懐古堂. LIT. p. 74. ISBN 9789627956204. Mi Fu (1052-1107), a Northerner by birth (and of Sogdian heritage) developed a passionate attachment to{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  7. ^ Percival David Foundation of Chinese Art, Percival David Foundation of Modern Art (2003). McCausland, Shan (ed.). Gu Kaizhi and the Admonitions Scroll. British Museum Press. p. 143. ISBN 9780714124148. An eccentric character, Mi Fu reputedly was descended from Sogdian ancestry
  8. ^ a b c d "Mi Fu | Chinese Calligrapher, Painter & Poet | Britannica". www.britannica.com. Retrieved 31 December 2024.
  9. ^ "Mi Fu's Revision and Innovation in Calligraphy by Adah Liana Hudson".
  10. ^ Red Pine. Poems of the Masters, p. 127. Copper Canyon Press 2003.
  11. ^ "Mi Fu". Britannica.
  12. ^ "Mi Fu | Chinese Calligrapher, Painter & Poet | Britannica". www.britannica.com. Retrieved 30 May 2025.
  13. ^ "米芾诗". tangshi.tuxfamily.org.
  14. ^ Ulrich Theobald (4 September 2013). "Huashi 畫史". www.chinaknowledge.de. Retrieved 31 March 2023.

General references

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  • Barnhart, R. M. et al. (1997). Three Thousand years of Chinese Painting. New Haven, Conn.: Yale University Press. ISBN 0-300-07013-6. p. 373.
  • Rhonda and Jeffrey Cooper (1997). Masterpieces of Chinese Art. Todtri Productions. ISBN 1-57717-060-1. p. 76.
  • Xiao, Yanyi, "Mi Fu". Encyclopedia of China (Arts Edition), 1st ed.
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