Shen Zhou (沈周, 1427–1509), courtesy name Qinan (啟南), was a Chinese painter in the Ming dynasty (1368–1644). He was born into an honored and wealthy family in Changzhou (長洲), which is modern Suzhou (蘇州) in the south of Jiangsu province. Shen Zhou never took up any official post, but instead enjoyed a long life involved in the learned arts of poetry, painting, and calligraphy—reflecting the humanist ideals championed by Confucian scholars. He received the Jinshi degree, signifying the highest honor attainable through imperial examinations, demonstrating his exceptional intellect and dedication…