Hu Shikun, also known as Yuanqing, was a renowned painter of landscapes and orchids during the late Ming and early Qing dynasties. Although the details of his birth and death remain unknown, it is believed that he was born in Shangyuan, which is presently known as Nanjing, Jiangsu Province.
Wu Hong (1615-1680), also known as Hong, was a famous painter in the early Qing Dynasty. He was born in Jinxi, Jiangxi, and lived in Jiangning, Jiangsu, which is now known as Nanjing. Wu Hong had a passion for painting since he was a child and discovered his own unique style. In 1653, he visited Xueyuan after crossing the Yellow River, and upon his return, he had a change in his writing style, becoming more free and easy. Along with Gong Xian, Gao Cen, Fan Qi, Zou Zhe, Ye Xin, Hu Zhen, and Xie Sun, they were collectively known as the "Eight Jinling Masters". Wu Hong's painting style was the most extensive, blending and boundless, allowing one to imagine.
Luo Mu (1622–1706)
Also known as Fanniu, Yun’an, and Muxingzhe, Luo Mu was a celebrated painter and poet from Ningdu, Jiangxi Province. Later in life, he resided in Baihuazhou, Nanchang. Known for his kindness and literary talent, he excelled in landscapes, trees, and stones, earning recognition as the founder of the "Jiangxi School" of painting.
Luo Mu’s artistic journey began under the guidance of Wei Shichuang and drew inspiration from the styles of Huang Gongwang and Dong Qichang. However, his works also reflect significant influence from Shen Zhou, particularly in their vivid ink tonalities and dynamic charm. His distinctive brushwork, combining weight with agility, contributed to his enduring legacy in Chinese art history.
Tang Yuzhao (1602–1672)
Also known as Yuzhao, courtesy name Kongming, and pseudonym Yunke and Banyuan, was from Wujin (present-day Changzhou), Jiangsu. He was the great-grandson of the Ming Confucian scholar and military strategist Tang Shunzhi and a disciple of Sun Shenxing. After the fall of the Ming dynasty, he did not serve the Qing and retired to his hometown "Banyuan." He was an avid collector and skilled in painting and calligraphy, a pioneer of the Changzhou School of painting.
"Lotus and Egret"
This painting primarily employs the "boneless" technique, creating a delicate and ethereal composition. The lotus flowers are vividly and serenely depicted with soft colors, while an egret with a sharp gaze and detailed feathers stands gracefully beneath the leaves among the floating duckweed. Tang Yuzhao's style, although slightly less realistic than Yun Shouping's vivid realism, retains the refined elegance of the late Ming dynasty. The upper right contains a poem and inscription: "Not necessarily as fragrant as orchids, the gentleman among flowers has an especially true taste. Amidst the painting's shadows, the fragrance disperses, dedicated to the Lotus-picking Man at the Ford. Resembling Elder Ke's longevity painting, by Banyuan Tang Yuzhao of Pi Ling." Below the inscription are red seals "Shi Gong" and "Ting."
Zhang Hong (1577–1652)
Courtesy name Jundu and nickname Hejian, Zhang Hong was a prominent figure in the Wumen painting circles during the late Ming Dynasty. A native of Suzhou, Jiangsu, he was celebrated for his mastery of landscape painting, drawing inspiration from the styles of Shen Zhou and Wen Zhengming. His work traced the lineage of the Four Great Masters of the Yuan Dynasty and was influenced by earlier masters such as Mi Fu, Dong Yuan, and Ju Ran, as well as Li Cheng, Guo Xi, Li Tang, and Xia Gui. Zhang skillfully synthesized the strengths of these traditions while incorporating his own deep commitment to sketching from life.
His landscapes are characterized by steep, towering forms, with clear, moist ink washes that evoke an ancient and serene atmosphere, often depicting the grandeur of mountains and deep ravines.
"Yun Xiang (1586–1655)
Yun Xiang, originally named Benchu, later changed to Xiang, with courtesy names Daosheng and Shuchen, and the pseudonym Xiangshan, was from Wujin (present-day Changzhou), Jiangsu. He excelled in poetry, calligraphy, and painting, particularly known for his landscape paintings. In his early years, he painted extensively, but in later years he became more restrained, significantly influencing his nephew Yun Shouping.
""Inspired by Dong Yuan and Ju Ran"" (1633)
This painting was created by Yun Xiang at the age of 47 for his ""society brother Ziyu."" The ""society"" likely refers to the Fushe, which Yun joined in the second year of Chongzhen (1629). Although the identity of ""Ziyu society brother"" is unclear, it may have been Huang Yisheng from Taicang. The painting, inspired by Dong Yuan, depicts the lush scenery of a summer mountain after rain. While elements of Dong Yuan and Juran's style are evident, Yun Xiang's brushwork and composition are uniquely his own. Influenced by the prevailing trend of antiquity, Yun Xiang's works often reflect a deep understanding and pursuit of ancient styles, as he stated, ""Recent painters emulate Dong Yuan and Wu Zhen without understanding their simplicity, only seeking density without embracing sparsity."" This piece achieves a balance of dense and sparse with broad, expressive strokes, capturing the essence of mist and ink. The piece is an early masterpiece of Yun Xiang's artistry, representing his best work from this period. Du Fu's poem aptly describes it: ""The primordial spirit seeps through the screen, even the heavens weep at the true essence conveyed.""
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Zhang Yuanju, also known as Maoxian and Wuhu, was a skilled painter whose birth and death dates remain a mystery. Hailing from Wuxian County, now part of Suzhou in Jiangsu Province, Zhang drew inspiration from the biography of his maternal ancestor Chen Daofu. He had a remarkable talent for painting flowers and birds, which he portrayed in a vivid and charming manner. Despite offers of money and silk, Zhang preferred to indulge in good wine. He also possessed a free-flowing writing style, which he inherited from the elegant Ming Dynasty.
Chen Yuansu (dates unknown)
Chen Yuansu, courtesy name Gubai, also known as Xiaoping and Jingan, with the pseudonym Su Weng and Chukuo Xiansheng, was from Changzhou (present-day Suzhou), Jiangsu. After failing the provincial examination in the 34th year of Wanli (1606), he dedicated himself to calligraphy and painting, also excelling in poetry and prose, earning fame during his time. He was skilled in landscape painting with a clear and distant brushwork and was particularly good at painting orchids. His orchid leaves curved gracefully, and ink flowers overflowed with elegance, capturing the refined essence of Wen Zhengming. His calligraphy was strong and clear, with his regular script following Ouyang Xun, and his running-cursive script inspired by the two Wangs and Wen Zhengming. His talent was well-regarded, attracting many followers.
"Orchid"(1610)
This early work by Chen Yuansu, although slightly immature, displays elegant orchid leaves exuding an otherworldly charm, vividly expressing a refined atmosphere. The inscription reads: "Painted in the late winter of the year Gengxu, Chen Yuansu." The seals include "Seal of Chen Yuansu" in white and "Xiaoping" in red. Another inscription on the lower left reads: "Ten years ago, I saw a beautiful woman in Jinling painting orchids. I imitated it playfully, resembling a maid dressed as a lady, overwhelmed by ornaments. Not seeking fame, you inscribed it, soaring its value. Summer of Dingmao year, re-inscribed by Su." The seal below the inscription reads "Seal of Chen Jingang" in white. The painting bears additional inscriptions by renowned collectors, including Ge Yingtian, Xue Mingyi, and Han Daoheng, adding to its value.
Lu Ji was an artist of great talent, born in 1477 in Ningbo, Zhejiang Province, China. He was known by his courtesy name Tingzhen and his nickname Leyu. Lu Ji served as an official in the command of Jin Yiwei and was renowned for his skill in painting flowers and birds. He received his education under Bian Jingzhao and attended the Academy of the Southern Song Dynasty. His paintings often featured a variety of eye-catching birds and flowers, including phoenixes, cranes, peacocks, and mandarin ducks, which were popular in ancient times.
Wu Wei, courtesy name Shiying and aliases Ciweng, Lufu, and Xiaoxian, was a native of Jiangxia (now Wuhan, Hubei). As a prominent master of the "Zhejiang School" following Dai Jin, he was renowned for his expertise in figure and landscape painting. In his early years, Wu Wei's style was meticulous and detailed, but in middle age, his work evolved into bold, vigorous brushwork that exuded freedom and expressiveness. He was later celebrated as the founder of the "Jiangxia School."
