Xuanhe Painting Catalog

...spirit, yet they never quite achieved his level. Zhang Yanyuan A Tang dynasty art historian stated that his forms moved with vigor, his brushwork was forceful yet contained, and every dot and stroke was fresh and unusual, naturally beyond the ordinary. However, because he was capable of this but did not dedicate himself solely to it, very few of his works have been passed down. He once painted an image of Shakyamuni the historical Buddha on hemp paper, which is treasured by his contemporaries. Hemp paper is loose and absorbent, making it difficult for ink to take and resisting the brush; it is a difficult medium for painters, so he deserves his reputation. Hong Su also followed in his father's footsteps. Among those who have inherited talent without need for study, his name is recorded in the catalogs, but his works are not passed down. Is it because he was overshadowed by his father and brother? The Imperial Collection currently holds:

Image of Amitayus Buddha Buddha of Infinite Life, 1
Map of the Buddha's Causality, 1
Image of Manjushri Bodhisattva of Wisdom descending, 1
Image of Vimalakirti a prominent lay Buddhist practitioner, 1