Chen Yuanyu was a talented artist proficient in poetry, calligraphy and painting, particularly in landscapes and ink orchids. He was born in Changzhou (now Suzhou, Jiangsu Province), the dates of his birth and death are unknown. His painting of orchids depicted the leaves tilted upwards, capturing the beauty of Wen Zhengming with elegance and grace vividly reflected on the paper. The painting is inscribed with the words "In the late winter of Gengxu, Chen Yuanzhu made the rain", followed by two chapters in Zhu's "Xiaoping" and "Chen Yuanyuan's Seal". A supplementary inscription is present in the middle left of the painting, stating that a Jinling beauty painted orchids ten years ago, which resembled the work of a maid. The lady's name was not known, but the public inscribed the poem, and her daughter immediately became famous. The title of the painting is "Su", with the seal "Chen Jingang Seal" written in white underneath it.
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."
Shen Yinmo was a calligrapher from Huzhou, Zhejiang. He studied in Japan and later became a professor at Peking University and Furen University. After 1949, he worked as deputy director of the Central Museum of Literature and History, chairman of the Shanghai Municipal People's Committee, and representative of the Third National People's Congress.
Wu Hufan was a celebrated artist born in Suzhou, Jiangsu Province. He was a talented poet, essayist, calligrapher, and painter, with various names and courtesy titles throughout his life. Wu was renowned for his immense art collection, as well as his mastery of calligraphy and painting. He held positions as a painter at the Shanghai Chinese Painting Academy, a Chinese painting teacher at the Shanghai Art School and the Zhejiang Academy of Fine Arts, and an associate professor at the Academy of Fine Arts of Shanghai University.
Tang Ken, also known as Qilin and Cangxue, was a highly talented individual born in Changzhou, Jiangsu to a family of scholars. He graduated from the Law Department of Chuo University in Japan and was known for his proficiency in calligraphy, painting, writing, poetry, and had a vast collection. Tang Ken's calligraphy works, such as the Zongyan Liubei Stele and the Four Kings of Painting, were highly regarded for their remarkable talent and skill.
Ye Gongchuo, also known as Yufu, and nicknamed Xia'an, was a native of Panyu, Guangzhou. He came from a family of scholars and was born in the official school of Beijing Normal University. He excelled in archeology, calligraphy, and painting. His calligraphy skills were unique and majestic, and his style of cursive calligraphy is evident in this couplet. with the explanation: "Every time I pursue elegance in the sky, I waste my middle age by reading crazy literature." The knotting is precise and has a strong style, making it one of his most notable works. In his later years, he was assigned to Juyuan.
Qian Zhenqian, courtesy name Mengjing and pseudonym Mingshan, was a native of Wujin, Jiangsu (modern-day Changzhou). He earned the title of Jinshi during the 29th year of the Guangxu Emperor's reign (1903) and served as Director of the Ministry of Justice. However, disillusioned by the lack of impact of his reform proposals, Qian resigned from his post and returned to his hometown, where he founded the Jiyuan Academy. As an educator and scholar, he significantly influenced the academic culture of Changzhou, mentoring many students and strengthening intellectual traditions in the region. After the Xinhai Revolution, Qian embraced a life of seclusion, adopting Taoist attire and devoting himself to teaching, writing, and moral advocacy. In a turbulent era marked by both natural disasters and social upheaval, he was revered for his ethical integrity, earning the title of the "Great Confucian Scholar of Jiangnan."
Zeng Xi, born in Hengyang, Hunan, was a prominent calligrapher, painter, educator, and a leading figure of the Shanghai School of calligraphy and painting during the late Qing Dynasty and the Republic of China. He achieved the rank of Jinshi in the 29th year of Guangxu (1903) and served in various esteemed positions, including Director of the Ministry of War, academic envoy, and president of the Hunan Education Association. Zeng also lectured at the Hengyang Shigu Academy and Hanshou Longchi Academy. He was known for championing the "Southern Sect" of calligraphy, a philosophy in contrast to Li Ruiqing's "Northern Sect," earning him the epithet "Southern Zeng and Northern Li."
Yi Bingshou, also known by his nickname Moqing, was born in Ninghua, Fujian. In the year 1789, he passed his Jinshi examination and served as the magistrate of Huizhou and Yangzhou during the fifty-fourth year of Qianlong's reign. He was highly respected in Yangzhou, where he was known as one of the "Three Threes" and his legacy was admired by the locals. The "Xian Temple", which was originally dedicated to Ouyang Xiu, Su Shi, and Wang Shizhen, later enshrined Yi Bingshou and was renamed the "Four Xian Temple". During his tenure, he was known for his honesty and good governance.
