news

한어Русский языкEnglishFrançaisIndonesianSanskrit日本語DeutschPortuguêsΕλληνικάespañolItalianoSuomalainenLatina

(Works by Zhu Zhen)

In the late Qing Dynasty, there were 19 famous painters in the Shanghai School who were good at flower and bird painting. They were: Zhu Xiong, Zhang Xiong, Wang Li, Zhou Xian, Hu Gongshou, Xugu, Zhu Zhen, Zhao Zhiqian, Ren Xun, Hu Zhang, Sha Fu, Ren Bonian, Wu Changshuo, Lu Hui, He Yu, Huang Shanshou, Ni Tian, ​​Yu Li, Gao Yongzhi

——Zhu Xiong's works——

1. Zhu Xiong (1801-1864):

His courtesy name was Jifu, also known as Jifu, and his pseudonyms were Mengquan and Diesheng. He was a Mochan hermit, and his studios were named Letaoshi and Xiaochanglu. He was from Xiushui (now Jiaxing, Zhejiang). In 1860, when Jiaxing was in chaos, he fled to Shanghai and worked as a tax collector. As a low-ranking official, he used painting to relieve his worries and express his feelings. His studios were named Letaoshi, Xiaochanglu, Jiashutang, etc. He painted flowers, trees, bamboos, and rocks, breaking away from the clichés of his predecessors and creating his own style. He was two years older than Zhang Xiong, but he became his teacher. He was good at identifying ancient artifacts, and was particularly fond of sand and porcelain.

——Zhang Xiong’s works——

2. Zhang Xiong (1803-1886):

Also known as Zhang Xiongxiang, with the courtesy name Shoufu, also known as Shoufu, the pseudonym Zixiang, and the later pseudonym Xiangweng. Other pseudonyms include Yuanhu Waishi, Yuanhu Laoren, Yuanhu Laozhe, Yuanyanghu Waishi, and Xixiangke. Also known as Qinghe Bozi and Ran Canjun. His studio was named Yinteng Huaguan. Born in Xiushui (now Jiaxing, Zhejiang), he moved to Shanghai in his youth and participated in various art activities. He collected more than 10,000 antiques and curios in his lifetime, and was famous in the art world, known as "the best resident in Shanghai." He was best at painting flowers, especially large-scale peonies. Zhang Xiong's paintings were bright and unpretentious, and his works were appreciated by both the elite and the masses. He led a group of painters to be active in the painting world, which was called the Yuanhu School at the time. In the middle of the Tongzhi period of the Qing Dynasty (1862-1874), the court recruited painters, and Pan Zuyin recommended Zhang Xiong, but he declined and sold his paintings for the rest of his life.

——Works by Wang Li——

3. Wang Li (1813-1879):

His original name was Bingli, his courtesy name was Qiuyan, his pseudonym was Qiudaoren (also known as Shi), his other pseudonyms were Baijiaoyanzhu, and his other pseudonym was Wojisheng. His studio was named Yanqiukuandongzhishi. He was from Wujiang, Jiangsu Province, and lived in Shanghai for a long time. He loved writing since childhood, and learned to paint flowers and birds from Shen Shixiang. His paintings were vigorous and elegant, and his brush was like carving iron. His elegant style was refreshing. His figure paintings were inspired by Chen Hongshou. He was not well-known at first, but Zhang Xiong saw his paintings in the market and praised them to others, and he became famous.

——Zhou Xian’s works——

4. Zhou Xian (1820-1875):

He was named Cunbo, Xiaoyuan, and Fanhu Jushi. He was born in Xiushui, Zhejiang (now Jiaxing), and later immigrated to Shanghai. In the last years of Daoguang (1850), he was a guest in Wuxian. In the early years of Tongzhi, he was appointed as the magistrate of Xinyang. He had a dispute with a senior official and resigned. After that, he moved to Jiangnan and Hunan. He started selling paintings in Shanghai around 1860 and died at the age of 56. He was good at painting flowers and seal carving. He was simple and proud and liked to travel far. The Shanghai painting world was influenced by Zhou Xian's style. In addition to Pu Hua and Ni Tian, ​​there were also Zhao Zhiqian and Wu Changshuo, masters of the "Shanghai School".

——Works by Hu Gongshou——

5. Hu Gongshou (1822-1886):

Originally named Yuan, his other pseudonyms were Shouhe, Xiaoqiao, and Shanmin. He was born in Huating (now Songjiang, Shanghai). He lived in Shanghai. He was good at painting landscapes, orchids, bamboos, and flowers, and he integrated the skills of ancient and modern painters to become a master. All the famous scholars in Jiangsu and Zhejiang were impressed by him.

——Xugu's works——

6. Xugu (1823-1896):

His surname was Zhu, his given name was Huairen, his monk name was Xubai, his courtesy name was Xugu, his other names were Ziyang Shanmin, Juanhe, his studio name was Juefei'an, Gubai Thatched Cottage, and Sanshiqifeng Thatched Cottage. He was originally from Xin'an (now Shexian County, Anhui Province), and his family was in Guangling (now Yangzhou, Jiangsu Province). He inherited the painting style of Jianjiang and Cheng Sui of the Xin'an School, and traced back to the Song and Yuan Dynasties. He was also influenced by Yangzhou painters such as Hua Xinluo. His paintings were mature and strange, and he was praised as "the first painter in the late Qing Dynasty". The master of the Shanghai School, Wu Changshuo, praised him as "breaking the past, present and future with one punch". He once served as a lieutenant general in the Qing army, and later he became a monk out of emotion. The "Chinese Art Dictionary" said that he "did not eat vegetarian food, did not worship Buddha", and "never stayed in a monastery". He often traveled between Shanghai, Suzhou, and Yangzhou, and made a living by selling paintings. Finally, he slept quietly on the painting table of Guandi Temple in Shanghai and returned to the west on the yellow crane.

——Works by Zhu Zhen——

7. Zhu Zhen (1826-1900):

Originally named Chen, later changed to Chen, with the courtesy name Menglu and the pseudonym Juewei. He was also known as Yuanhu Sanren, Yuxi Waishi, Yuxi Diaozhe, Yuanhu Huashi, and Xushan Qiaosou. He was from Jiaxing, Zhejiang. He was Zhu Xiong's younger brother. He was good at painting flowers and birds. He initially followed Zhang Xiong, but later changed to Wang Li.

——Works by Zhao Zhiqian——

8. Zhao Zhiqian (1829-1884):

His original name was Yifu, and his alias was Lengjun. Later, he changed his name to Huishu, and his aliases were Bei'an, Mei'an, Wumen, etc. He was from Shaoxing, Zhejiang. He participated in the imperial examination three times, but failed each time. At the age of 44, he served as the editor-in-chief of "Jiangxi Tongzhi" and served as the magistrate of Poyang, Fengxin, and Nancheng. He died in office. He was good at figures, landscapes, and especially flowers. At first, his style was elegant, but later he learned from Xu Wei, Zhu Da, and the Eight Eccentrics of Yangzhou. His brushwork tended to be unrestrained, and he splashed ink with vigorous force, free and easy, and the colors were rich and colorful, full of novelty. His art organically combined poetry, calligraphy, painting and seal carving, and had a great influence on the art world in the late Qing Dynasty. Many of his calligraphy and painting works have been handed down.

——Ren Xun's works——

9. Ren Xun (1835-1893):

His courtesy name was Shunqin, and his other courtesy name was Fuchang. His father Ren Chun and his brother Ren Xiong were both painters. He lost his father at a young age and learned painting from his brother. When he was young, he sold paintings in Ningbo for a living. In 1868, he went to Suzhou with Ren Yi, and later lived in Suzhou and Shanghai. Ren Yi and Ren Yu both learned painting from him. He and his brother learned figure painting from Chen Hongshou, and often used the ancient hairpin, iron wire, flowing clouds and water, and orchid leaves to depict figures. Ren Xun was also good at figures, flowers and birds, landscapes, portraits, and ladies. His painting methods were extensive, and his faces were diverse and innovative. He was friendly with Gu Wenbin's son Gu Cheng, and once designed Yiyuan for him. In 1888, he became blind at the age of 54 and later died of illness in Suzhou.

——Hu Zhang's works——

10. Hu Zhang (1848-1899):

His courtesy name was Tiemei, and his pseudonym was Yaochengzi. He was from Jiande (now Dongzhi, Anhui) and the son of the painter Hu Yin. He was good at painting landscapes, figures, and flowers. He and Wang Yemei (Wang Yin, a native of Nanjing, lived in Shanghai) were both famous for their plum blossom paintings. Tiemei was good at painting plump plums, while Yemei was good at painting thin plums. They were both descendants of Chao Lin. He lived in Shanghai for a long time and traveled to Japan. His paintings were very famous. He was buried in Kobe, Japan after his death.

——Works by Shafu——

11. Shafu (1831-1906):

His pen name is Shanchun, and he was born in Suzhou, Jiangsu. He admired Chen Laolian at first. During the Xianfeng period, Ren Xiong came to Wumen, and he studied under Ren Xiong. After Ren Xiong passed away, he became very close to Ren Xun. Later, he changed to study under Gai Qi and Fei Danxu, and specialized in ladies and flowers, thus establishing his own style.

——Works of Ren Bonian——

12. Ren Bonian (1840-1896):

Ren Bonian, also known as Ciyuan, and Xiaolou (also known as Xiaolou), was born in Shanyin, Zhejiang. He was recruited as a flag bearer by the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom Army and "was commanded as a vanguard during the war". After the fall of Tianjing (the capital of the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom, Nanjing), he returned home. After 1868, he made a living by selling paintings in Shanghai for a long time and lived in Sanpailou near Yu Garden. His paintings covered a wide range of subjects, and his main achievements were in figure painting and flower and bird painting. He could often express the whole demeanor of a figure with just a few strokes. Ren Bonian's son Ren Jinshu and daughter Ren Xia were both famous for their paintings.

——Works of Wu Changshuo——

13. Wu Changshuo (1844-1927):

His original name was Jun, also known as Junqing, and his courtesy name was Changshuo. He was also known as Cangshi, Cangshi, Cangshuo, Laocang, Laoguan, Kutie, Daleng, Shizunzhe, etc. He was born in Anji, Zhejiang Province. In 1860, the Taiping Army fought with the Qing Army in western Zhejiang, and he was separated from his family. He lived in exile in Hubei, Anhui and other places for several years. In 1865, he passed the imperial examination and became a scholar. He was appointed as the magistrate of Andong County (now Lianshui County), Jiangsu Province, but he left after only one month. In 1882, he brought his family to Suzhou to settle down, and later settled in Shanghai. In the summer of 1904, he met with seal carvers Ye Weiming, Ding Ren, Wu Jinpei and others at Renyi Tower on West Lake in Hangzhou to discuss the art of seal carving. In 1913, Hangzhou Xiling Seal Society was officially established, and Wu Changshuo was elected as the first president, with the stage name Yiyang. He had three sons and one daughter. His second son Wu Han and third son Wu Dongmai were both good at seal carving, calligraphy and painting.

——Lu Hui's works——

14. Lu Hui (1851-1920):

His original name was Youhui, another name was Youkui, his courtesy name was Lianfu, his pseudonyms were Xiansou, and his other pseudonym was Xianlu. He called himself the Master of Pofolu. He was originally from Wujiang, Jiangsu, and lived in Wuxian (now Suzhou, Jiangsu). He studied for the imperial examination when he was young, and ranked first in the entrance examination for scholars. Someone reported that his father had participated in the Taiping Army, and his path to fame was cut off forever. He followed Liu Deliu and later met Wu Dacheng. Huang Binhong commented on the nine friends in painting: "Lu Lianfu from Wujiang was the first to become famous. He learned landscape painting from the Four Wangs, and his rendering was particularly realistic."

——He Yu's works——

15. He Yu (1852-1928):

Yanbei, a native of Shanghai. His first teachers were Hu Gongshou and Ren Bonian, and later he became a disciple of Zhu Menglu (Zhu Zhen). He was good at painting flowers and birds, and made a living by selling paintings for sixty years. In his later years, he changed his style but did not go against his teacher's teachings. He liked to paint large and exquisite paintings, and the themes were mostly festive.

——Huang Shanshou's works——

16. Huang Shanshou (1855-1919):

His original name was Yao, his courtesy name was Xuchu, his other courtesy name was Xudaoren, his later name was Xuchi Laoren, and his other name was Lisheng. He was from Wujin, Jiangsu. He served as the Tongzhi of Zhili. After the age of 50, he made a living by selling paintings in Shanghai. He was good at painting figures, ladies, blue-green landscapes, double-hooked flowers and birds, black dragons, animals, grass insects, black plums, bamboo and rocks.

——Ni Tian’s works——

17. Ni Tian (1855-1919):

Originally named Baotian, with the pen name Mogeng and the pseudonym Biyue Canzhu, he was from Yangzhou, Jiangsu. In the middle of the reign of Emperor Guangxu, he went to Shanghai for business and fell in love with Ren Yi's paintings, so he gave up his career and started to use Ren's style. Today, those who learn from Ren Yi are all from Ni Tian's school. Only Ni Tian and Sha Fu have learned the essence of Ren Yi's school. He lived in Shanghai and sold paintings for nearly 30 years.

——Yu Li’s works——

18. Yu Li (1862-1922):

His courtesy name was Dafu, and his other pseudonym was Sui'an. He was from Shaoxing, Zhejiang, and was a disciple of Ren Yigao. He learned all the skills of his master in painting figures, landscapes, and flowers. He sold paintings in Shanghai for more than 40 years. After middle age, he began to imitate Xu Wei and Jin Nong's brushwork, and his painting style changed.

——Works of Gao Yong——

19. Gao Yongzhi:

His given name was Yong, his courtesy name was Yongzhi, his pseudonyms were Li Can, Deaf Man, and Chi'an Shanmin, and he signed himself as Ku Li. He was from Renhe (now Hangzhou) and lived in Shanghai. He was a county magistrate in Jiangsu. He was good at calligraphy and liked the style of Li (Yong). In the first year of the Xuantong reign (1909), he founded the Yuyuan Calligraphy and Painting Charity Association in Yuyuan, Shanghai with Qian Huian, Pu Hua, Wu Changshuo, Wang Zhen, and others, and was elected as the president (?). He occasionally painted and sold them in the association to help with the sales. After the Xinhai Revolution, he wore a yellow cap and Confucian clothes and made a living by selling calligraphy.

World Art Selection