Do you know this Chinese tale?

[nighthawk]

I'm looking for a book in which a Chinese artist, something Fo, I think, who is condemened to death by his emperor for lying; for creating pictures of a world so beautiful, too beautiful to be real. But the artist cheats his emperor, and death, by painting a picture of a boat and sailing away in it. Lovely story any ideas? Would appreciate any help, tried Google

 

[Sitaram]

Perhaps these stories?

http://www.civprod.com/storylady/stories/MagicBrush.htm

I entered these words into google,....
chinese emperor artist beautiful paints boat sails

as one entry, and that story was the first to pop up, the first try, at the top of the list

also, here is perhaps a slightly different version

http://firehorseportfolio.com/tea/printpaint.html

https://www.fccny.org/HelpPopUp.asp?123

Reading Rainbow: LIANG AND THE MAGIC PAINTBRUSH VHS 29 min

Taken from an old Chinese legend, a poor boy who longs to paint is given a magic paintbrush that brings everything he paints to life. LeVar explores how art is integrated into many aspects of the Chinese American culture. He takes a trip to New York City’s Chinatown and visits with an expert of Chinese calligraphy, a stonecarver who makes LeVar a name stamp, and a gourmet Chinese chef. He also takes viewers to the New York Institute of Technology where he is shown how to use computer graphics to create art. Then he participates in a Chinese parade. (Cost $25)


http://www.eltnewsletter.com/back/Feb2000/art12000.shtml

yet another version... the story is way down on the page, so use ctrl F and search on brush until you find it

 

[nighthawk]

Many thanks Sitaram They are delightful stories and I think
must be versions of the tale I was seeking. I had hoped it
was a lot longer, a book in fact.

 

[nighthawk]

In case anyone else is interested I found the story
‘How Want-Fo Was Saved’ in a book called

ORIENTAL TALES by MARGUERITE YOURCENAR