The Chinese painter Ku K'ai-chih (ca. 345-ca. 406) was the first great classical master of figure painting and portraiture.

Ku K'ai-chih, also called Ch'ang-k'ang and Hu-t'ou, was born in Wu-hsi, Chin-ling, the modern Wu-chin, in Kiangsu Province. His father was a government official who held hereditary office. Even when he was a boy, Ku's genius was apparent, and he became a skillful poet and musician, as was the fashion among the aristocracy of the time. Although nothing is known of his early training as a painter, his skill and originality soon led the influential premier, Hsieh An, to declare, "There has been nothing like it since the birth of man!" Ku held a number of government posts, and hence as scholar, poet, painter, and official he epitomizes the Chinese ideal of the true gentleman who is learned in all things but solely devoted to none of them.

The Painter...