Yao Cuan

Yao Cuan (姚璲) was a Chinese painter and official who lived during the late Yuan and early Ming dynasties (c. 1373 - c. 1445). He was born in Jiaxing, Zhejiang province.

He is known primarily for his landscape paintings, particularly those rendered in the shuimohua (水墨畫) style, a monochrome ink wash painting tradition. His works often depict idealized and tranquil scenes of nature, reflecting the literati values of retreat and contemplation.

Yao Cuan served as an official in the Ming court, holding various positions, which allowed him to travel and further develop his artistic skills. While his official duties provided him with stability, his true passion lay in painting and poetry.

His style is generally considered to be influenced by earlier Yuan masters such as Huang Gongwang and Wu Zhen, and he is considered a minor, but respected, figure in the development of landscape painting during the early Ming period. His works are relatively rare.