Children Playing in the Library《书馆儿戏图轴》

Sha Fu (1831–1906)
Sha Fu, courtesy name Shanchun, also known as Sanchun and Su An, with an alternative pseudonym Xiangjing Waishi, was from Wuxian (present-day Suzhou), Jiangsu. Born into a family of painters, he studied under Wumen painter Ma Xiangen. Sha Fu excelled in figure painting, inspired by Chen Hongshou and Ren Xiong, creating lively and expressive works. He was particularly skilled in painting the faces of ladies, earning the nickname “Sha’s Faces.” He also painted flowers with elegant and subtle tones, rich in vitality, and his landscapes were sparse and charming.

“Children Playing in the Library” (1873)
This painting depicts a lively scene of children playing in a library while their tutor sleeps, except for one child diligently writing in the upper left. The inscription clarifies the theme, praising the hardworking child, who would later become “Wenzheng Gong” (referring to Fan Zhongyan). The painting aims to offer moral instruction rather than simply portraying the joy of children in a classroom. The colors are bright and elegant, with meticulous brushwork capturing the mischievous and lively expressions of the children.

沙馥（1831—1906），字山春，一字三春，号粟庵，别署香泾外史，吴县（今江苏苏州）人。出身绘画世家，又随吴门画家马仙根学画。善人物画，追慕陈洪绶、任熊，生动传神，仕女面相画得尤为精细优美，有“沙面”之称。亦善花卉，色调雅静，富有生意。兼作山水，萧疏淡远，饶有韵致。

此画描绘了许多孩童趁塾师睡着后在书馆嬉闹的场面，唯独左上部的小孩子在认真奋笔疾书。其主题在款题中有明确表达，即赞扬这位认真读书的孩子，他就是后来的“文正公”（注：应为范仲淹）。故此画的主旨在于规劝，并非表现学堂孩童之乐。整幅画设色妍雅，笔法清细圆转，把孩童顽皮的形象刻划的十分生动有趣。