Green Leaves Inviting Coolness《翠叶邀凉图轴》

Chen Hengke (1876–1923)
Chen Hengke, courtesy name Shizeng, pseudonym Huaitang, and also known as Xiudao Ren, was the grandson of Chen Baozhen and the son of Chen Sanli, from Xiushui, Jiangxi. He was a pioneer in the modern transformation of Chinese freehand figure painting and a forerunner of modern Chinese cartoon art. Chen emphasized the national, inherited, and contemporary nature of art, opposing complete Westernization and refuting any arguments that belittled or denied Chinese painting. He authored works such as “History of Chinese Painting” and “Research on Chinese Literati Painting.” Chen’s landscape painting was greatly influenced by Shen Zhou, Shitao, and Kun Can, known for its sharp, robust brushwork.

“Green Leaves Inviting Coolness”
The inscription on this piece states that he saw a similar painting by Zhang Ruitu (pseudonym Ershui), so he emulated it. While his brushwork indeed shows Zhang’s boldness, it also incorporates elements from Shitao and Kun Can, adding his originality. The rocks are rendered with dry brushstrokes, while the trees are painted with wet brush, creating a contrast between dryness and wetness, achieving a profound and distant atmosphere. The upper left inscription reads: “Inviting coolness with green leaves, seen in Ershui Shanren’s brush, painted by Shizeng Chen Hengke.” Below the inscription is the red seal “Shizeng.”

陈衡恪（1876—1923），字师曾，号槐堂，又号朽道人，陈宝箴之孙，陈三立之子，江西修水人。中国意笔人物画现代转型的先觉者，中国现代漫画艺术的先驱。强调美术的民族性、继承性和时代性，对“全盘西化”与一切贬低、否定中国绘画的论调予以驳斥。著有《中国绘画史》《中国文人画之研究》等。陈衡恪画山水得力于沈周、石涛、髡残诸家，生辣坚强，笔力雄健。

此作题识中说是曾见张瑞图（号二水）有此图，故仿之。其笔墨确有张氏的纵逸，然更多的是参法石涛、髡残而来，又自出机杼。山石以枯笔皴擦，树木以湿笔点染，枯润相间，深邃幽远。左上款署：“翠叶邀凉，曾见二水山人笔，师曾陈衡恪写”，款下钤朱文“师曾”印。