Abundance《有余图轴》

Zhu Da (1626–c.1705)
Zhu Da, originally named Ben’an, was a descendant of Zhu Quan, the Prince of Ning from the Ming Dynasty. Born in Nanchang, Jiangxi Province, he became a monk after the fall of the Ming Dynasty, taking the monastic name Chuanxi. Later, he transitioned to Taoism and adopted various pseudonyms, the most famous being Bada Shanren. One of the “Four Monks” of the early Qing Dynasty, Zhu Da was a master of calligraphy and painting. His bold and austere brushwork conveyed a sense of desolation and isolation, while his unique bald-pen technique in cursive calligraphy set him apart. Zhu Da is widely regarded as the most elegant freehand flower-and-bird painter after Chen Chun and Xu Wei, influencing countless artists in later generations.

“Abundance”
This painting of a mandarin fish exemplifies Zhu Da’s mastery of simplicity and vitality. Though minimal in composition, the fish comes to life through bold and expressive brushstrokes, rich tonal gradations of ink, and an engagingly vivid form. The work’s conciseness highlights Zhu Da’s ability to distill the essence of his subjects into striking visual poetry.

The piece reflects Zhu Da’s characteristic eccentricity, both in form and sentiment. His unconventional depiction of fish often symbolized his discontent and his disdain for authority. This particular work, created before his 69th year, carries an implicit commentary on social injustice, embodied in the fish’s upward glance, as if casting a critical “white-eyed” look toward the heavens.

The inscription, “Painting of Bada Shanren,” is accompanied by two seals: one reading “鰰组Pianxuan” and the other “Bada Shanren.” The painting’s fusion of subtle humor, profound symbolism, and minimalist artistry makes it a quintessential representation of Zhu Da’s legacy.

朱耷（1626—约1705），原字刃庵，明宁王朱权后裔，江西南昌人。出家时释名传綮，别号雪个、个山、人屋、道朗等，晚年号八大山人。明亡后出家为僧，后又改做道士。清初画坛“四僧”之一，擅书画，其画笔墨质朴雄健，意境荒凉寂寥。亦长于书法，擅行草，以秃笔作书，独成一格。朱耷是继陈淳、徐渭之后格调最高的大写意花鸟画家，对后世影响极大。

八大的花鸟主要吸取了沈周、陈淳、徐渭等写意花鸟大家的笔墨精神，并以形象奇特、构图险怪、笔墨雄健、内涵深邃而著称于世。他笔下的怪石、花草、虬松及鱼雁禽鸟，笔墨简括，形态怪诞奇特，或蜷足缩颈，或鼓腹耸肩，或白眼向人，孤傲冷僻，以画言志，以表达他对异族统治的嫉恨和不满之情。
此画为墨笔所作鳜鱼，构图虽简单，但用笔痛快淋漓，墨色丰富，形态生动而有异趣。从款字看，是他69岁之前的作品。其用意有所谓白眼看青天，以寓其不平之气。款署：“八大山人画。”款下钤“鰕組篇轩“、“八大山人”二白文印。