Wang Hsi-chih Calligraphing a Fan Liang K'ai (fl. late 12th-early 13th c.), Sung Dynasty Album leaf, ink on paper, 31.3 x 58.9 cm

     Liang K'ai served as a Painter-in-Attendance in the Chia-t'ai era (1201-1204) at the court of Emperor Ning-tsung. Liang K'ai specialized in figure painting. Due to his reduction of the brushwork for a spirited effect, his style has been described as "abbreviated brushwork".

     The subject of this work is an anecdote about China's Sage Calligrapher Wang Hsi-chih (321-379). He is shown helping an old lady sell her fan by inscribing it with his famous calligraphy. Behind is an attendant holding an inkstone. The expressions of the figures are lively and the drapery is done with fluid brushwork. Although not necessarily a work by Liang K'ai, the artist here was still able to capture the essence of the abbreviated "sketching ideas" style of brushwork.