Lin Liang

Lin Liang (林良, c. 1428 – 1494) was a Chinese painter of the Ming dynasty. He was a court painter during the Tianshun, Chenghua, and Hongzhi reigns, serving at the Ren Zhi Dian. Lin Liang specialized in bird-and-flower paintings, particularly noted for his free and untrammeled style (寫意, xieyi), a departure from the meticulously detailed style (工筆, gongbi) more commonly seen in court painting. His works often depicted birds, animals, and plants in their natural environment, conveying a sense of spontaneity and vitality. He is considered a significant figure in the development of Ming dynasty painting and an important precursor to later "individualist" painters. His influence can be seen in the works of artists who followed his loose, expressive style.