Poetic Inspiration at the Brookside Bridge《溪桥吟兴图轴》

Chen Hanguang (1879–1957)
Chen Hanguang, originally named Mingyanwei, first used the courtesy name Yisun, later changed to Hanguang, and was also known by the pseudonym Huaihai Ke. He was from Yangzhou, Jiangsu. Born into a scholarly family, he was exceptionally intelligent and passed the county-level imperial examination at the age of sixteen, earning the top position. In the 28th year of the Guangxu reign (1902), he passed the provincial examination and was awarded the title of Baggong but refused to enter officialdom, traveling the country with his father. Known for his integrity, Chen was highly knowledgeable and was invited to work at the Qing History Bureau during the early Republic of China, collaborating with Miao Quansun and Yang Du on the compilation of the “Draft History of Qing.” After two years, he returned home and spent his time immersed in poetry, calligraphy, and painting.

“Poetic Inspiration at the Brookside Bridge”
Chen Hanguang had extraordinary talent in calligraphy and painting. His calligraphy was strong and vigorous, exuding elegance and simplicity. He excelled in landscape painting, creating works with serene and profound atmospheres, rich in scholarly spirit. This piece was a gift to Mr. Liu Guojun, reflecting the style of Wang Hui and the artistic conception of Hongren, while incorporating his unique ideas. The brushstrokes are clean and lively, with a clear and elegant artistic conception, embodying a strong literary atmosphere, making it highly remarkable.

陈含光(1879—1957)，原名名延韡，初字栘孙，后改含光，以字行，别号淮海客，江苏扬州人。出身书香门第，聪颖过人，16岁以第一名中秀才，光绪二十八年（1902）中举后授拔贡，但拒不入仕，随父游历四方。为人刚正不阿。民国初因学识渊博而受聘于清史馆，与缪荃孙、杨度等纂修《清史稿》，两年后返家，以诗书画自娱。

陈含光在书画上也有过人天赋，书法力挺刚劲，浑厚秀拔，洁净古朴。画以山水为佳，意境清幽深远，带有浓厚文人气息。此作为他画赠刘国钧先生，画风主参王翚，借鉴弘仁之意境，以己意出之，笔净墨灵、意境清幽，文人气息浓厚，颇为可观。