沈周(1427-1509)明代杰出画家。字启南，号石田，又号白石翁、玉田生、有居竹居主人等。长洲(今江苏苏州)人。性情敦厚、博学多才，长于文学，亦工诗画，善画山水、花卉、鸟兽、虫鱼，皆极神妙。常草草点缀，即得意趣。亦常题诗词于画上，当时人称他为“二绝先生”。画宗黄大疾、吴镇，自成一家笔法。亦工墨笔花鸟，和他的学生文征明并称为“吴派”两大家。又与文征明、唐寅、仇英称“明四家”。他每画一画，落笔点苔，绝不苟且。他能从多方面摹习古人，又加自己的创造，更参以二米的笔趣，善用粗笔，圆润挺劲，厚重凝炼。出入于宋元名家，创作态度极为慎重。
沈周·《题画》
白云如带束山腰，石磴飞空细路遥；
独倚杖藜舒眺望，欲因鸣涧答吹箫。
Inscribed on a Painting
Shen Chou
White clouds, like a belt, wind around the waist of the mountains;
A path narrow and long soars into the void, off a stony ledge.
Alone, I lean on a thornwood staff and gaze peacefully into the distance;
Wishing to respond with my flute playing to the singing of the mountain stream.
