Shitao
The Reclusive Genius: Shitao and the Art of Individual Expression Shitao, a towering figure in the late Ming and early Qing dynasties, stands as one of China’s most individualistic and influential painters. Born into a prominent scholar-official family around 1642 – precise dates remain elusive, characteristic of his deliberately obscured personal history – Shitao navigated a period of immense upheaval and transition with an unwaverin…
The Lifeline
Scroll through Shitao's working life — artwork by artwork, chapter by chapter — from the earliest dated work to the last. Each thumbnail is pinned at its exact year on the gold axis.
Chapters — Career Periods
The ribbon is divided into shaded bands, one per career chapter. Each chapter groups Shitao's works by their historical period — early training, mature practice, final years.
Thumbnails — Dated Works
Every thumbnail is pinned at its precise creation year. A thin gold thread drops from the image to its exact point on the axis. Larger frames mark the artist's masterpieces by rank.
Colour Band — Movement Drift
The gradient bar beneath the axis shifts colour as the dominant art movement changes over time — from the warm golds of the early period through the deeper tones of maturity. It fills progressively as you scroll.
