Zhao Mengfu (赵孟頫 in Chinese, 1254-1322) was a renowned painter and calligrapher during the Yuan Dynasty. As a royal descendant of the Song Dynasty, Zhao Mengfu, following his family's tradition of serving in official positions, obtained a government appointment at the age of 14. After the fall of the Southern Song Dynasty, Zhao Mengfu briefly withdrew from public life and lived in seclusion at home. However, his talents attracted the attention of the newly ruling Yuan court. In 1286, Emperor Kublai Khan summoned Zhao Mengfu to serve in the Yuan government, where he held various high-ranking positions over the next 30 years.

As an artist, Zhao Mengfu excelled in various painting genres, including landscape, religious and secular figures, birds and flowers, and had a particular passion for painting horses. While incorporating allusions to old styles, Zhao Mengfu was also known for his versatility and innovative approach, especially his theory on the affinity between painting and calligraphy. His significant influence contributed to the development of a unique style in Yuan Dynasty art and shaped the trends of literati painting in the Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties.