Pine and Chrysanthemum《松菊图轴》

Zhao Shuru (1874–1945)
Zhao Shuru, originally named Runxiang, had courtesy names Xianchen and Shuru, and later changed his name to Shiwang, with the pseudonym Renchang. In his later years, he referred to himself as Ernu Laoren and was commonly known by his courtesy name, Shuru. He was from Yin County, Zhejiang (now Ningbo). During the late Qing dynasty, he served as a student, and later as a Tongzhi in Fujian. After the establishment of the Republic of China, he lived in seclusion in Shanghai, making a living by teaching and selling his art. Zhao excelled in various art forms, including seal carving, calligraphy, painting of flowers, insects, horses, and birds, and was highly skilled in artistic creation. He was a prominent figure in the Shanghai school of painting, calligraphy, seal carving, and art collection. He was especially renowned for his horse paintings, earning the title “Modern Zhao Mengfu.”

Zhao Shuru’s calligraphy followed the styles of Zhao Mengfu and Zhao Zhiqian, with profound brush and ink techniques. He integrated calligraphy into his paintings, achieving a balanced and elegant style. This scroll is an exemplary piece of his small freehand brushwork, with the brush and ink used effortlessly and naturally, exuding a scholarly atmosphere.

赵叔孺（1874—1945），原名润祥，字献忱、叔孺，后易名时棢，号纫苌，晚年自号二弩老人，以叔孺行世。浙江鄞县（今浙江宁波）人。清末诸生，曾任福建同知。民国后，隐居上海，以授徒、鬻艺为生。金石书画、花卉虫草、鞍马翎毛，无不精擅，艺术造诣很高，是海派书画篆刻与收藏鉴赏大家。尤擅画马，人称“近世之赵孟頫”。

赵叔孺书宗赵子昂、赵之谦，笔墨功夫颇深，以书入画，中正平和，格调不凡。此轴笔墨淳雅，是他小写意一路的典型面貌，笔墨设色皆轻松自然，书卷气十足。