Lot Essay
Wu Shantao was born in Qiantang, present-day Hangzhou in Zhejiang Province. His zi was Dai Guan and his hao Saiweng. In 1639, he was awarded the title of Juren, given to successful candidates in the Imperial Examinations at provincial level. He fulfilled several governmental positions in the following years. After he was dimissed from office, he travelled extensively throughout China whilst studying calligraphy and landscape painting. In his studies he concentrated mainly on the masters of the Yuan Dynasty.