Three Ancient Poems in Cursive Script, c. 1535, Chen Chun, Chinese, 1483 - 1544, 11 9/16 x 365 3/4 in. (29.37 x 929.01 cm) (image), Ink on paper, China, 16th century, Chen Chun, one of the most important Ming dynasty calligraphers and flower painters, was born into a modestly prosperous literati family. His first teacher was the great literatus, Wen Zhengming (1470-1559), and between 1519 and 1523 he studied at the Imperial Academy in Beijing. While initially influenced by the writing style of Wen Zhengming, Chen quickly developed a personal approach based more on the calligraphy of the ancient masters Mi Fu (1051-1107) and Yang Ningshi (873-954). His running and cursive scripts (Cao-shu) for which he is most famous display characteristic fluidity, boldness, and exuberance.