Chou Ch'en, a native of Soochow, studied landscape painting from Ch'en Hsien, achieving the Sung methods. He also excelled at figures with an archaic yet unusual style that is detailed yet free. This work shows Ning Ch'i (fl. 7th c. BC), a native of Wei, stopping to feed the ox pulling his cart in the state of Ch'i. Duke Huan of Ch'i saw him and realized Ning's worth, making him a Counselor-in-chief at Ch'i. The dynamic texture strokes of the trees and rocks are similar to those of the Che School style. In the works of T'ang Yin and Ch'iu Ying, and even the early ones of Tu Chin, an exceptionally decisive brushwork appears. Thus, it seems exchange and influence took place even among different schools of painting at the time.
Ning Ch’i Feeding an Ox Chou Ch’en (ca. 1450-1535)Ming Dynasty Chou Ch’en (style name Shun-ch’ing; sobriquet Tung-tsun) was a native of Wu County, Kiangsu. He modeled his landscapes on those of Ch’en Hsien (1405-1496) and also employed the painting methods of the Sung masters. Chou matured his brush technique by frequently copying the works of such noted artists as Li T’ang (1049-1130), Kuo His (fl. 1190-1224), Ma Yüan (fl. 1195-1224), and Hsia Kuei (fl. 1195-1224. Ning Ch’i (fl. Seventh century B.C.), a native of the state of wei, traveled to the state of Ch’i. There once while he was feeding his ox Duke Huan heard him singing. Thus realizing Ning Ch’i’s worth, the duke gave him a position in the administration of Ch’i.