Wu Daozi
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Wu Tao-tzu or Wu Daozi (Simplified Chinese: 吴道子; Traditional Chinese: 吳道子; pinyin: Wú Dàozǐ; Wade-Giles: Wu Tao-tzu; 680-740) was a Chinese artist, famous for the myth of entering an art work.
The myth follows the creation by Wu Tao-tzu of a mural commissioned by Emperor Xuanzong of Tang China. The mural on the wall of the palace was a rich nature scene set in a valley, containing a stunning array of flora and fauna.
Wu Tao-tzu had gone further and painted a door on the side of a mountain. The story goes that he clapped his hands and entered the door, inviting the Emperor to come and see - sadly the door shut and he was lost forever.
(This tale inspired one of the Nouvelles orientales by Marguerite Yourcenar, Comment Wang-Fô fut sauvé.)
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