The Life and Career of Wang Fu Wang Fu was a central figure of the Ming dynasty, operating as a painter, calligrapher, and poet. Born in Wuxi, Jiangsu, around 1362, he established himself through a career that moved between the heights of imperial service and the isolation of exile. He was known by several names, including his courtesy name Mengduan and the art names Youshisheng and Jiulong Shanren. His life was defined by this tension between official duty and scholarly seclusion. His professional trajectory began early when he entered government service in the capital of Nanjing in 1378.…