Born a prince of the Ming dynasty in 1626, Zhu Da lost his world when the empire fell and spent years living in hiding as a Buddhist monk. Adopting the name Bada Shanren, he transformed personal grief, displacement, and resilience into some of the most distinctive works in Chinese art. Beneath his celebrated paintings of rabbit, birds, fish, and animals lies a deeply coded visual language filled with symbolism, wordplay, and hidden meaning. This extraordinary album captures the pivotal moment when Zhu Da became Bada Shanren, revealing the artist's journey through poetry, calligraphy, and painting. Four hundred years after his birth, discover the story of the royal descendant who became one of China's greatest artistic legends.

This work is offered in the upcoming Fine Classical Chinese Paintings in Sotheby's Hong Kong, presented in partnership with Qatar.