Guànxiū: The Maestro of Luohan Paintings Guànxiū (832–912), a Buddhist monk, painter, poet, and calligrapher hailing from Chengdu, China, stands as one of the most celebrated figures of the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period (907–960). This tumultuous era witnessed the fragmentation of Tang imperial authority, prompting provincial courts to champion artistic traditions—a circumstance that fostered a miniature Tang court in Chengdu where Guanxiū flourished. His legacy resides primarily in his masterful depictions of arhats – disciples of historical Buddha who embraced ascetic lifestyles –…