Bamboo and Stone《竹石图轴》

Pu Hua (1832–1911)
Pu Hua, originally named Cheng, with the courtesy name Zuoying and the pseudonym Xu Shanyeshi, was a native of Jiaxing, Zhejiang. Despite his humble origins, Pu Hua excelled in poetry, calligraphy, and painting from a young age. Though he initially pursued a scholarly path, his disinterest in fame and fortune led him to abandon official pursuits and dedicate himself entirely to art. In his later years, Pu Hua settled in Shanghai and, alongside Xu Gu, Wu Changshuo, and Ren Bonian, became one of the “Four Masters of the Shanghai School” during the late Qing Dynasty.

Renowned for his cursive calligraphy and paintings of landscapes and flowers, Pu Hua’s works are characterized by strong, uninhibited strokes. His mastery of wet-brush techniques produced pieces with bold, fluid inkwork that radiate vitality and power.

“Bamboo and Stone” (1888)
This painting exemplifies Pu Hua’s celebrated style in depicting bamboo and stone. Executed with a full, wet brush, the strokes are simultaneously assertive and refined, showcasing his profound skill and confidence with the brush. The composition feels effortless yet extraordinary, reflecting Pu Hua’s ability to capture spontaneity and natural elegance without artificial arrangement.

The inscription reads: “To my second brother Zizhao, Lord Yajian. Wuzi year, Jiaping, Pu Hua.” Beneath the inscription is the Zhu Wenfang seal, which reads: “Xiushui Pu Hua Zuoying.”

This work embodies Pu Hua’s distinctive artistic philosophy, where simplicity meets grandeur, and the dynamic interplay of ink and brush breathes life into traditional motifs. His bamboo and stone compositions are a testament to his enduring legacy as a master of the Shanghai School.

蒲华（1832—1911），原名成，字作英，号胥山野史、种竹道人，浙江嘉兴人。他出身卑微，然自幼刻苦学习诗文书画，曾中秀才，只是生性淡泊名利，便舍弃功名而致力于绘画。晚年侨寓上海，与虚谷、吴昌硕、任伯年合称清末“海派四杰”。擅草书，工山水花卉，笔力雄健奔放，善用湿笔，水墨淋漓，很有气势。

此画为蒲华竹石的典型面目，他用腴润的湿笔写出，率意而又能凝重，体现了他深厚的笔墨功底。整幅作品毫无刻意安排之感，自然天成，气格不凡。款署：“子钊二兄大人雅鉴。戊子嘉平，蒲华。”款下钤“秀水蒲华作英”朱文方印。