Page from the Ten Bamboo Studio Manual of Painting and Calligraphy 1633

This page from the Ten Bamboo Studio Manual of Painting and Calligraphy, created in 1633 by Hu Zhengyan, showcases the artist's mastery of brushwork and ink techniques. The delicate rendering of a flowering branch, with its subtle shading and precise detail, epitomizes the Chinese art of *xieyi*, or expressive brushwork. The *Ten Bamboo Studio Manual* was intended to serve as a guide for aspiring artists, demonstrating the techniques and principles of Chinese painting and calligraphy. This page, with its simple yet evocative depiction of nature, exemplifies the aesthetic ideals of the Ming dynasty.