Peony《牡丹图轴》

Zhao Zhiqian (1829–1884)
Zhao Zhiqian, courtesy name Yifu, later changed to Huishu, and pseudonyms Lengjun, Mei’an, and Tiesan, was from Kuaiji (present-day Shaoxing), Zhejiang. He was a pioneer painter of the “Haipai” (Shanghai School) and achieved great success in painting, calligraphy, and seal carving, founding his own artistic style. He integrated seal and clerical script techniques into his painting, creating works that were simple, vigorous, and full of ancient charm, becoming a trailblazer in incorporating epigraphic elements into painting.

“Peony” (1868)
This painting, created in 1868, features fluid and vibrant brushwork with rich colors that are not garish. Zhao Zhiqian skillfully blended the strengths of Xu Wei and Bada Shanren with the brushwork of epigraphic calligraphy, creating a work of great power and grandeur, unique in style, and one of his masterpieces. The inscription reads: “During the Tang and Yu dynasties, Dongting contributed tribute, and the poem ‘Chenzi’ first appeared in the ‘Classic of Poetry.’ Please harmonize the ancient meaning. Painted by Zhao Zhiqian for Elder Brother Chunqing in the seventh month of the Wuchen year of Tongzhi, while staying in the capital.” The seal reads “Zhao Zhiqian’s seal.”

赵之谦（1829—1884），字益甫，后改字撝叔，号冷君、梅庵、铁三等，会稽（今浙江绍兴）人，为“海派”先驱画家。在书画、篆刻方面都颇有成就，是开宗立派的艺术巨匠。他将篆隶笔法融于绘画，古朴苍劲，为清末以金石入画的开拓者。

此画作于1868年，整幅画笔墨酣畅，设色艳而不俗，融合徐渭、八大等诸家之长而以金石书法笔意出之，力能扛鼎，有宽博淳厚之趣，别具一格，是他精品之作。款署：“洞庭入贡唐虞时，赋物始见潧洧诗，请陈古义调和宜。同治戊辰七月，莼卿二兄大人属，撝叔赵之谦画。时客都门。”款下钤白文“赵之谦印”章。