Two Tigers Roaring at the Waves《双虎鸣浪图轴》

Cai Heting (1909–1976)
Cai Heting, courtesy name Yiyuan, also known by his pseudonyms Zhenshisanren and Diluzhu, was a native of Fuzhou, Fujian. He studied Chinese painting alongside his younger brother Hezhou from an early age, drawing inspiration from masters such as Ren Bonian and Wu Changshuo while tracing the styles of Bada Shanren and Wang Shigu. Cai Heting incorporated Western techniques of light and shadow into his work, alongside the innovative spirit of the Lingnan School, blending traditional brush and ink with modern approaches to light and color. Active in the Shanghai painting scene during the 1930s, he later moved to Xi’an in the 1950s. In his later years, he specialized in subjects like plum blossoms, bamboo, lions, tigers, and peacocks.

“Two Tigers Roaring at the Waves” (1939)
This early work by Cai Heting vividly depicts two fierce tigers roaring on the bank of a rocky torrent. The tigers are rendered with dynamic postures and majestic expressions, exuding both power and vitality. Beneath the rock, waves crash forcefully, creating a sense of drama and tension that evokes the imagery of “tigers roaring and dragons singing.” Although no dragon is present, the turbulent waters suggest its looming presence, enhancing the painting’s mythical atmosphere.

The inscription reads: “In the summer of the Ji Mao year, painted by Cai Heting, Zhenshisanren, in Shanghai.” Below the inscription are two seals: a white seal with the characters “Zhenshisanren” and a red seal with “Heting.” On the right side of the inscription is a dedication written by Huang Zhongze, a renowned scholar from Jiangnan, accompanied by his red seal reading “Mingshan.”

This painting reflects Cai Heting’s mastery in combining traditional Chinese painting techniques with modern elements, resulting in a composition that is both timeless and vibrant. The interplay of the tigers’ fierce energy and the tumultuous natural setting showcases his ability to capture the dynamic spirit of his subjects with precision and artistry.

蒲华（1832—1911），原名成，字作英，号胥山野史、种竹道人，浙江嘉兴人。他出身卑微，然自幼刻苦学习诗文书画，曾中秀才，只是生性淡泊名利，便舍弃功名而致力于绘画。晚年侨寓上海，与虚谷、吴昌硕、任伯年合称清末“海派四杰”。擅草书，工山水花卉，笔力雄健奔放，善用湿笔，水墨淋漓，很有气势。

此画为蒲华竹石的典型面目，他用腴润的湿笔写出，率意而又能凝重，体现了他深厚的笔墨功底。整幅作品毫无刻意安排之感，自然天成，气格不凡。款署：“子钊二兄大人雅鉴。戊子嘉平，蒲华。”款下钤“秀水蒲华作英”朱文方印。