Manual of Paintings by Famous Masters of Successive Periods

Ming dynasty (1368�1644), Wanli period (1573�1619)

Compiled by Gu Bing (fl. 1594�1603); proofread and edited by Xu Shuhui; engraved by Liu Guangxin

Hulin [Hangzhou], Zhejiang Province: Shuanggui tang, 1603

White folding margin at center of folio; single-line borders; overall dimensions of volumes: 33.4 x 22.7 cm; block sizes of text: approx. 27.1 x 19.2 cm; block sizes of illustrations irregular; stitched binding

Inventory number: 01471

This book, popularly known as the Gu shi hua pu (Master Gu's Manual of Painting), is a collection of copies of painted compositions by famous artists of successive dynasties by Gu Bing, a painter from the Hangzhou area who served briefly at the imperial court.

Gu Bing's manual is an illustrated history of Chinese painting narrated through the works of 106 artists from the Jin dynasty (317�420) and from most of the Ming dynasty (1368�1644), each represented by a single selection.The scope of subjects covered is broad and includes landscapes, bird-and-flower compositions, and figural works.As a rule, pictures appear on the recto of folios, while accompanying inscriptions (brief biographies and background information on the artists in the form of colophons) are on the verso.The various scales and formats of Chinese painting are standardized to fit within the uniform rectangular dimensions of the woodblock.The Lidai minggong hua pu appealed to professional as well as amateur artists as a handy reference to painting styles and compositions from many centuries and has been reprinted many times since.